Surname Voeltz - Meaning and Origin
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Voeltz: What does the surname Voeltz mean?
The last name Voeltz is of German origin, and likely means "a sagacious person." It is derived from the Gothic word "foltz," which refers to someone possessing prudence and wisdom.
The name dates back to the 12th century, when surnames began to be formed. The earliest records of its use is found in the Bavarian Region of Germany, where it appears in records from 1221. It was also found in the medieval kingdom of Prussia, which comprised parts of modern Poland and Lithuania.
The Voeltz surname has remained largely confined to the countries of Germany, Poland, and several other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In modern times, it can be found in many English-speaking countries as well, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Various notable individuals have borne the Voeltz name throughout history, including former Dutch Prime Minister Odulf Voeltz in the 17th century, the former president of the European Council Herman Voeltz in the late 20th century, current Swiss cyclist Yannick Voeltz, and many others.
The Voeltz surname is a reminder of a bygone era, when its original bearers distinguished themselves by their wisdom and sagacity. Today, its descendants can spread throughout the world while still keeping an eye on the past, proud to carry on the legacy of those noble individuals who bore this name before them.
Order DNA origin analysisVoeltz: Where does the name Voeltz come from?
The last name Voeltz is of German origin and it is most commonly found in parts of Germany, particularly in the eastern states such as Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. These regions are located in what was once the ancient kingdom of East Francia and the person who adopted the name may have been a noble or a soldier from this area. Voeltz is also found in some parts of Switzerland and Austria though these are fairly minor concentrations.
In the United States, the last name Voeltz is especially found in some of the Midwestern states such as Wisconsin and Iowa, which both have a large German-American population. The states of Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota also report noticeable numbers of people with the Voeltz surname. Similarly, it is also found in some parts of Canada, mostly in the western provinces.
Voeltz is a fairly uncommon name today and it is estimated that there are less than 10,000 people worldwide who bear it. However, due to its German origins, it is likely to remain an important part of the cultural heritage of the countries that it is found in.
Variations of the surname Voeltz
The surname Voeltz has several variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It sometimes appears as Veltz, Föltz, Voelz, Felts, Völtz, Feltz, and Volker. Additionally, variants include Veltzmann, Voelt, Voeltzmann, Voelzmann, Voeltman, and Voelker.
The surname Voeltz is believed to have originated in German-speaking areas, and is derived from the German word, "voeltz," meaning "a guardian, or watcher." Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin are often attributed to regional variations of dialects and/or spelling errors in various documents.
Alternately, it is also believed that the surname Voeltz can be found in Poland. In this case, it is thought to be a form of the surname Jeltz, Jelts, or Geltz. Variations can also be seen in the form of Jeltman or Jeltmann, which appear to be older variants of the surname.
The surname Voeltz is fairly common in the United States, as well as some parts of Europe, and can be traced back to the early 19th century.
It is also found in varying places such as Germany, Poland, Austria, Russia, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, France, and Belgium. Given its wide geographical spread, it is likely that the surname has had many regional variants over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Voeltz
- Kris Voeltz: is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and international leagues.
- Ryan Voeltz: is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Kansas City Mavericks in the ECHL.
- Frank Voeltz: was an American track and field athlete who had success nationally in the sprints.
- Gary Voeltz: is an American former professional basketball player who was selected in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Jeff Voeltz: is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Web.com Tour.
- Payton Voeltz: is an American former professional basketball player who played in the WNBA and international leagues.
- Randy Voeltz: is an American former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball for four teams over eleven seasons.
- Donny Voeltz: is an American professional basketball player who plays in Spain for CN Sabadell.
- Laura Voeltz: is an American former professional speed skater who won the Olympic bronze medal in the 3000-meter relay at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
- Jenna Voeltz: is an American food scientist and certified sensory analyst who researches how flavor perception affects food choice.