Surname von Arx - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
iGENEA DNA Test Unravels An Unexpected Swiss Heritage in the Von Arx Family Lineage
After a DNA test by iGENEA, I discovered my ancestors, the von Arx family, hail from central Switzerland and not Southern Germany as I had always believed. Their resilience and dedication defined them. An overlooked past has emerged, reshaping my understanding of my identity and heritage.
F. von Arx
read morevon Arx: What does the surname von Arx mean?
The last name von Arx is of Germanic origin and, according to the “Encyclopedia of American Family Names,” is derived from the Old High German “arh” or “arha” meaning "eagle." The addition of the “von” in the surname likely means that the family had a noble heritage.
In the Middle Ages, the “von” title was an indication of family nobility. The title was often used to distinguish a family from another, and, while it could be inherited from father to son, it was more often earned through notable service for the given country. A man who earned such a distinction was called a “Ritter” or “knight” and was granted estate, authority, and the right to bear crosses and weapons. In some cases, the title was elevated to a subject of nobility, who was then called a “Freiherr.”
The descendants of the von Arx family likely have a long and noble lineage, which can be traced back hundreds of years. How the family originally came to be a part of nobility is not known, but their history and heritage are undoubtedly significant.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Arx: Where does the name von Arx come from?
The last name von Arx is most commonly found today in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The name is thought to be of Swiss-German origin, with the prefix “von” indicating nobility or being part of a higher class. The name is often found in records from the medieval era and could be a derivative of ‘arch’, a corruption of the term ‘erz’ which means ‘of the mountain’. The name is still quite common in Switzerland, where it is especially found in the French-speaking canton of Fribourg where there is a family of von Arx who own a castle in the commune of Attalens.
In Germany, the name is most commonly found in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. The location of Bad Wildungen in the former region is associated with the von Arx family today. It is the home of the Bad Wildungen Palace, a majestic and expansive estate originally owned by the von Arx family in the 18th century.
The von Arx family is also found frequently in Austria, especially near the city of Graz. In fact, there is a von Arx family cemetery located at the foot of the Schöckl, near Graz. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for numerous members of the von Arx family.
The von Arx family is also seen in the Czech Republic in the form of the city of Arxovice. The city serves as a reminder of the von Arx family’s influence in this area and was named after the von Arx family in 1512.
To this day, the last name von Arx is a familiar and proud reminder of the family’s considerable influence in various historical eras and modern times alike.
Variations of the surname von Arx
The surname von Arx can be written many ways, such as ‘von Arx,’ ‘Vonarx,’ ‘von Arck,’ ‘v’Arx,’ ‘Vonarc’ and ‘von Arcks.’ The root of the name, ‘Arx’ (sometimes with an ‘e’) is the same in every instance. It is believed to be derived from the German word meaning ‘fortified’ and was used to indicate a person who lived or worked in or around a fortified area.
Variants of the surname von Arx include Arnat, Arnett, Arndt, Arnet and Arntz. There are also some Germanized spellings of the name, such as vonarzhofen, vonardt, vonardhoeff, and vonardhausen.
Variants of the surname can also be found in other languages and countries. In France, the name is written as Vauroux, Vonaroux, Vauroux, and Vonaroux. In the Czech Republic, it is written as Voneck and Vonacek. In Switzerland, the surname is written as Voneche and Vonache. In Italy, it is written as Varchetti, Varchè, Varchietti, and Varchie.
Some other surnames related to von Arx are von Ackermann, Ackmann, Archman, Arkendahl, Arxberger, and Arxheim. These are mostly variants of the original ‘Arx’ root, however, Nicholai, Nikolaus, and Nadolny may also be considered related to it due to their similar roots.
The name von Arx is several centuries old, and its spelling has varied over the years. Its variations are still found today in many places around the world, such as Switzerland, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany.
Famous people with the name von Arx
- Werner von Arx (1897-1979): Swiss pharmacologist known for his groundbreaking work on plant physiology and photosynthesis.
- Fritz von Arx (1893-1953): Swiss architect active in the mid-20th century, mainly designing residential and industrial buildings.
- Fritz von Arx (1866-1916): Swiss lawyer, politician and author, who served as a member of the Swiss Federal Assembly.
- Arthur von Arx (1893-1972): Swiss lawyer, politician and diplomat, who served as ambassador to the League of Nations.
- Rainer von Arx (born 1966): Swiss psychologist and university professor, currently teaching at the University of Zurich.
- Max von Arx (1887-1962): Swiss painter and sculptor, known for his landscapes and portrait painting.
- Johann von Arx (1830-1907): Swiss general and military author, who wrote a handbook on drill and parade.
- Hermann von Arx (1850–1924): Swiss doctor, known for his work on tropical medicine.
- Pierre-Louis von Arx (1923–2009): Swiss lawyer, politician and diplomat, served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1971-1978.
- Ashraf von Arx (born 1995): Swiss-Egyptian actor and musician, known for his roles in the television show “T Finder”.