Meaning & History
Arntz is a Dutch surname meaning "son of Arend". It belongs to a large family of Dutch patronymic surnames derived from the given name Arend, which is a variant of Arnold. The name Arnold itself comes from the Germanic elements arn "eagle" and walt "power, authority", giving the sense of "eagle power".
Etymology and Historical Development
The surname Arntz likely originated in the Middle Ages when Dutch naming practices commonly used patronymics. The suffix -z is a shortened form of -szoon (son), making Arntz equivalent to Arends or Arendsen. Other related variants include Aarens, Aarse, Aartsen, and Aerssens. All ultimately derive from the same root: the given name Arend.
While Arend is a common given name in Dutch-speaking regions, it also serves as the Dutch word for "eagle", reinforcing the semantic connection to the element arn in Arnold. The surname's distribution remained primarily in the Netherlands and Flanders before migration patterns spread it elsewhere.
Distribution Today
According to the 2010 United States Census, Arntz is relatively rare, ranked 26,362nd most common, with 926 bearers. The vast majority (96.22%) identified as white. This data suggests limited but notable presence in the U.S., likely due to Dutch immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Meaning: Son of Arend
- Origin: Dutch patronymic from the given name Arend
- Type: Patronymic surname
- Usage regions: Netherlands, Flanders, Dutch diaspora
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Arntz