Surname Merthens - Meaning and Origin

Merthens: What does the surname Merthens mean?

The last name Merthens has various meanings, depending on the region and particular family history. Generally, however, it is believed to be an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German term “merten” which was used to describe someone involved with crafts and stitching. In particular, “merten” was used to describe weavers and tailors, as well as shoemakers and metalworkers.

In some instances, the name may also have arisen from the Dutch phrase “meer dan” which means “more than”, and may have been chosen by families who owned a substantial amount of wealth or power, or wanted to represent their social standing.

Interestingly, the Merthens surname also appears in various forms across Europe, from the Dutch Mrdens (in the Netherlands), Merden (in Denmark) and Merten (in Germany). It is possible that a single medieval ancestor migrated through these countries and spread the name.

The Merthens family today is widely dispersed across the globe, with some members living in Australia, Canada, the United States, and many European countries. However, most of these families can trace their lineage to one particular region, where the name originated: the Alsace-Lorraine region of north-eastern France.

Merthens: Where does the name Merthens come from?

The surname Merthens is quite rare, and is known to originate from Germany. It is found in quite low quantities in almost every part of the world, but is more heavily concentrated in some countries than others.

In Germany, the majority of people named Merthens live in the state of Bavaria, although it is also present in other parts of the country. The same goes for other Germanic countries such as Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The surname is also found in Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Norway and Denmark; however, due to the rarity of its occurrence, it is not as heavily distributed as in Germany.

In the United States, Merthens is mainly concentrated in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. However, all told, it is found in fewer than twenty states.

In Canada, it is mainly found in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, which also often overlap with parts of the U.S. where Merthens is more heavily concentrated.

Merthens is also distributed in parts of Australia, mainly Victoria and South Australia, and in New Zealand – mainly in the Auckland region.

Overall, the surname Merthens is quite rare, and is only found in limited quantities throughout the world. As such, it is not as well established as many of its more common counterparts, but nonetheless has a presence in many major nations today.

Variations of the surname Merthens

The surname Merthens has various variants, spellings, and surnames that all have the same origin. A few examples of these are:

Mertens: This was most commonly found in Germany, where it was derived from the personal name Marten or Merten. The earliest recording of this name is from the 10th century, with an individual by the name of Uvoldus Merten.

Mertin: This spelling originated from states in central Europe. Records for this spelling date back to the early 13th century in Germany.

Moth: This variant was most commonly found in northern Germany, and is derived from the pre-7th century personal name Mado.

Märtens: This German name comes from the Old High German word Mertin, meaning 'brave'. Records of this spelling date back to 1420 in Schmalkalden.

Martens/Martins: This was a common spelling in both Germany, and the Netherlands. It is derived from a pre-7th century personal name Marten or Martin.

Meertens: This Dutch name is derived from the Old German name Mertin. It is recorded in Dutch documents from around the 13th century.

Marth: This German variant is derived from a pre-7th century surname Marten or Mertin. It is recorded in German documents from the 13th century.

Martz: This spelling comes from the Old High German equivalent of the name Marten or Mertin. It is recorded in documents from the 13th century in Germany.

Martines/Martijns: This Dutch variant is derived from the Latin form Martinus, which can be traced back to the 13th century.

Mertinz: This variant is most likely a form of Mertin. It is recorded in Saxony in the 13th century.

Moorz: This variant is derived from the Old Dutch word Maurus, meaning 'Moor'. It is recorded in documents from the 15th century in Germany.

Overall, the surname Merthens has a wide range of variants, spellings, and surnames originating from the same source. Most of these variants are derived from the Old High German personal name Mertin, with its earliest records dating back to the 10th century.

Famous people with the name Merthens

• Kasia Merthens: a Polish journalist and broadcaster.
• Rik Merthens: a German musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist.
• Hans Merthens: a Dutch WWII resistant fighter.
• Arthur Merthens: an Australian politician.
• Theo Merthens: a Dutch field hockey player.
• Jette Merthens: a Dutch figure skating champion.
• Hennie Merthens: a Dutch teacher and public speaker.
• Jennifer Merthens: an American painter.
• Sander Merthens: a Dutch composer and jazz musician.
• Dirk Merthens: a German entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Other surnames

Merthen