Surname Contze - Meaning and Origin

Contze: What does the surname Contze mean?

The last name Contze is of German origin and is a variant of the German family name Contz. The prefix “Con-” is a variant of the Latin "con" used to indicate the idea of "together", while "ze" is a truncation of the German/Frisian "-thal/dahl" which suggests "valley" or "family" in English. From this, the surname Contze is understood to roughly mean "the family from the valley" or "the family together".

The Contze surname was first recorded in Steinburg, Schleswig-Holstein in Germany in 1351. The original bearer of the name was Gerich Conze who was a warrior in the employ of Ingold I of Steinburg. The Contze family rose to power and prominence in the 14th and 15th centuries and became part of the Frieren Mecklenberg noble family. Originally a powerful crusade family, they spread to parts of Northern Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

The meaning of the Contze surname is still relevant today. The idea of the family coming together is used to convey a sense of unity and strength. It is used to symbolize the importance of family, the idea of working together and the strength that comes from that unified effort. This understanding was likely made very tangible during the time of Gerich Conze. Today, the Contze surname is still relatively common in Germany and other parts of Northern Europe.

Contze: Where does the name Contze come from?

The last name Contze is commonly found in regions of Europe such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic. It is believed to be of Dutch origin, derived from either Kontz or Kontze, which are Dutch personal names derived from the elements "Kon" or "Knut" (English: "knight"), and "zo" or "tsa" (meaning "son").

In Germany, the last name is most commonly found in the Rhineland region, which is formed by the areas of the Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Westphalia, Thuringia, and Saarland. In Austria, Contze can be found in the Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria, Carinthia, and Styria.

It is also found in Switzerland’s western half, particularly in the cantons of Ticino, Graubunden, and Valais. In Poland, Contze is primarily present in the Łódź, Świętokrzyskie and Lubuskie provinces. The Czech Republic is home to the last name Contze, with numbers increasing in the Northern Bohemia region. It is also found in smaller numbers in Slovakia, Hungary, and the Netherlands.

Overall, the last name Contze is still very much in use in the regions of Europe in which it originated.

Variations of the surname Contze

Contze is a spelling variant of the German surname 'Konze', which is derived from the Old German nicknames "Konzo" or "Konzo the Brave", referring to a brave or powerful person. Other spelling variants of Konze include Konce, Kontz, Kuntz, Kuntze, and Konz.

Contze is an uncommon surname and is mainly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is particularly widespread and common in areas of Austria, such as Salzburg. Additionally, the surname is prominent in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania and New York due to the arrival of German emigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Variations of Contze include Contsa, Contzey, Counce, Countze, Koonce, Kunce, Kunta, Kuntz, Kumtz, Kuntze, Konz, Konzie, Kontza, Kontzey, and Conza. The surnames Kunze, Kunst, Konst, Konzelmann and Kunts also have a similar origin and may be related to Contze.

In conclusion, Contze is a rare German surname derived from the Old German nickname ‘Konzo’ and is mainly found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Related surnames include Contsa, Kuntz, Kuntze, Konz, Kunce, Koonce and others.

Famous people with the name Contze

• Maximilian Contze: German rower and double World Champion of 2005 and 2006
• María Contze: Chilean lawyer, former judge, and politician
• Luis Contze: Chilean-born Argentinian actor, film producer, and director
• Carlos Contze: Brazilian former professional footballer
• Claudio Contze: Chilean film director, screenwriter, and producer
• Víctor Contze: Chilean former boxer
• Miguel Contze: Chilean footballer
• Maritza Contze: Colombian actress
• Jimmy Contze: Chilean former footballer
• Juan Contze: Chilean musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer

Other surnames

Contzen