Surname Fintz - Meaning and Origin
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Fintz: What does the surname Fintz mean?
The last name Fintz is of German origin, and was likely used to denote a finn or fisherman. It is derived from the Old High German word "vint" which means "finn." The name is thought to be a patronymic name, meaning that it was handed down from a father to his children. People who carry the last name Fintz tend to be practical and levelheaded individuals who are hardworking and organized. They may also demonstrate an interest in a variety of subjects, such as art, music, and philosophy. Those with the last name Fintz tend to be versatile, and they are often drawn to roles that involve problem solving, such as engineering or accounting. They often succeed in occupations that require analytical skills and logical decision-making. People with the last name Fintz may also be very creative, and they often have a flair for language and the arts. They may be inspired by words and language, and enjoy writing and learning new languages. They make excellent employees, and often take initiative and dedicate themselves completely to their tasks. People with the last name Fintz may also be drawn to help others, and they are often very charitable and eager to lend a helping hand wherever possible.
Order DNA origin analysisFintz: Where does the name Fintz come from?
The last name Fintz is most common today in the United States, although it is found in other countries such as Canada, Australia, and Israel. Within the US, Fintz is most prominent in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Fintz is an Ashkenazic Jewish name of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "vinc", which means victory, or a person who is victorious; the spelling changed to Fintz in many Yiddish-speaking areas, which makes sense as Yiddish had no 'V' sound.
The earliest record of the Fintz family is dated 1743 in Silesia, Germany. By 1800, the Fintz family had emigrated to the US, and was recorded in various American cities, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. In the 1880 US census, the Fintz family was recorded as living in various states, including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, reflecting a dispersal of the original family across the Eastern half of the United States.
In the 2000 US census, 16,797 people across the United States reported Fintz as their last name. Of those people, 61.3% lived in Pennsylvania, 10.1% in New Jersey, and 6.4% in New York.
Over the centuries, descendant of the original Fintz family have spread throughout the United States and the wider world. While Fintz remains quite rare, it is still a prominent Ashkenazic Jewish name that is linked to a long and proud heritage.
Variations of the surname Fintz
The surname Fintz is a Jewish surname that originates from the Germanic personal name Finczo, which is derived from the Old High German personal name Finkz and ultimately from the Proto-Germanic word finkaz meaning "a bird". It is believed to have first been adopted in the Middle Ages by Jews in Germany in order to differentiate themselves from their non-Jewish neighbours.
Variants of the surname Fintz include Fincz, Finczo, Fintzke, Finczl, Finczel, Finsz, Fintzl, Fintzki, Fintzky, Fintzy, Fintzlein, Fintzler, Fintzmann, Fintzmeyer, and Fintzman.
The surname Fintz is commonly found in Ashkenazic Jewish communities, especially those with roots in Germany, Eastern Europe, and Russia, although there are some accounts of the surname Fintz being used by communities in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. In the United States, many of those with the Fintz surname are descendants of German Jewish immigrants who changed their last names from Fintz or Fintzke to versions more English-sounding, such as Fincz, Fince, Finkes, or Finch.
Spellings alternative include Finsz, Fintzer, Fintzl, Fintzle, Fintzmann, Fintzman, Fintzmeyer, Fintzemeyer, Fintzie, Fintzki, Fintzky, Fintzel, Fintzelin, Fintzeler, Fintzeling, Fintzelman, Fintcel, Fintzelmann, and Fintzlinger.
Surnames that are loosely related to the surname Fintz include Finchel, Fincke, Fincken, Finckh, Finckler, Finckeler, Fink, Finke, Finken, Finkman, Finkmann, Finschel, Finskel, Finskeler, and Fintchel.
Famous people with the name Fintz
- Daniel Fintz: an award-winning Israeli filmmaker and cinematographer
- Richard Fintz: a director, producer, and writer in the entertainment industry
- Amy Fintz: an American artist
- Molly Fintz: a fashion designer and artist
- Zachary Fintz: an author, packager, and co-founder of The Manuscript Agency
- Kaili Fintz: a Canadian singer and songwriter
- Ryan Fintz: a college student, long-distance runner, and volunteer
- Arthur Fintz: an award-winning American writer, actor, and director
- David Fintz: a Canadian professor and author
- Steffen Fintz: a German filmmaker and visual effects artist