Surname Spitz - Meaning and Origin
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read moreSpitz: What does the surname Spitz mean?
The last name Spitz is of German origin and is derived from the medieval word ‘spitz’, meaning ‘sharp point’ or ‘pointed tip’. It is believed that the surname originally referred to someone who had a pointed head or facial feature. It could also have been used as a nickname for a person who was smart, clever, or cunning, or for someone who had a ‘pointed’ wit. The Spitz name was not widespread in Germany until the late 19th century, and was probably most common in the southern German states, as well as in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the United States, the Spitz surname is most common in Pennsylvania and New York, where many German immigrants settled during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the name is found in many different cultures, including Jewish, Dutch, and Irish. It is also found as a given name in some Mediterranean countries, as well as in Africa and the Middle East.
The Spitz name is strongly associated with renowned Swedish artistic swimmer, Gertrud “Gert” Rönnberg, better known as “Gertie Spitz”. As a five-time Olympic champion, she helped popularize the sport of synchronized swimming and was considered the “Queen of the Waves.”
The Spitz surname is also connected to celebrity dog breeder, Robert Spitz, who was responsible for developing the distinctive and well-known Pomeranian breed.
Overall, the Spitz surname is often seen as one that signifies intelligence, wit, and strength. Its usage has expanded to encompass a variety of cultures, and its association with successful athletes and dog breeders has only added to its reputation.
Order DNA origin analysisSpitz: Where does the name Spitz come from?
The last name Spitz is common throughout Europe and parts of Asia, including Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, France, Romania, Czech Republic, and Russia. The name is thought to have originated from a diminutive form of the Slavic word Spica, meaning "ear of wheat." Alternatively, it has also been linked to the German word Spitz, meaning "sharp."
In the United States, the name Spitz is most common in the Upper Midwestern states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. It is estimated that approximately 0.2% of Americans have the last name Spitz, making it one of the US's 20,000 most common surnames. These days, many of the families with Spitz as a last name are of German or Eastern European origins.
The last name Spitz has also seen significant growth in Australia, with over 4,000 citizens sporting the last name. Here, the name is most common in the state of New South Wales.
The last name Spitz is quite rare in the UK, despite being the third most common surname in Germany. As of 2015, it is estimated that only 2,000 people in the UK had the last name Spitz.
The last name Spitz is likely to continue growing in popularity worldwide, particularly in the United States as more immigrants from Europe and Asia settle in the country.
Variations of the surname Spitz
The surname Spitz is of German origin and has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. The variants of Spitz are Spez, Speitz, Speets, Spitze and Spitza. Other spellings include Spittz, Spattz, Spitza, Spueck and Speck. Surnames of the same origin include Spitzer, Spitaels, Spitaeler, Specht and Speicher.
The earliest records of the Spitz surname date back to the 13th century to witness a knight by the name of Willhelm von Spitz, who was mentioned in a document known as the “Landlaufe” of the ancient province of Pomerania in 1237. The word spitz derives from the Middle High German language, meaning pointed or sharp.
The Spitz family is believed to be an old patrician family of Franconian descent. During the 17th century, members of the Spitz family moved from their ancestral lands of Pomerania, Germany, to the Netherlands. From there, the Spitz name took root in a number of countries throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, Poland, Netherlands, Sweden and the United States.
The surname became particularly well-known in the United States due to actor and comedian George Jessel (born George Albert Spitz) and George A. Spitz, the New York City and Chicago based philanthropist.
Today, the surname Spitz and its variants are widespread and is found in countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Spitz
- Mark Spitz: American swimmer, winner of nine Olympic gold medals, and former world record holder at seven events
- Ryan Spitz: American football player for the Green Bay Packers
- Lawrence Spitz: German actor
- Dick Spitz: American game show host
- Brian Spitz: American lawyer, former chairman of the California Bar Association's Antitrust Law Committee
- Harry Spitz: American film producer and executive
- Mitchell Spitz: American singer-songwriter
- Barak Spitz: Israeli football player
- Geoffrey Spitz: British economist and professor
- Matt Spitz: American film and television producer
- Eugene Spitz: American author and professor of social work at the University of California, Los Angeles
- Les Spitz: American collegiate football coach at San Jose State University
- Robert Spitz: American investment banker and philanthropist
- Roberta Spitz: American painter
- Peter Spitz: Austrian artist and curator
- Lady Sybil Spitz: American political consultant
- Emma Spitz: Austrian artist
- Adam Spitz: Austrian figure skater
- Yitzhak Spitz: Israeli rabbi
- Chelsea Spitz: American actress