Surname von Martens - Meaning and Origin
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von Martens: What does the surname von Martens mean?
The surname von Martens originates from German and is derived from the phrase “von den Marten,” which translates to “from the martens.” The German family name can be traced to the ancient Saxon era when people began to adopt surnames in order to distinguish themselves from others with similar names. The marten is a small, tree-climbing weasel found commonly in Europe and is noted for its thick, soft fur. It is thought that those with the surname von Martens were descendants of one of multiple families of huntsmen who hunted the marten and acquired the animal’s fur for tanning.
In modern times, the von Martens surname is still widely used and can be found in Germany. It is seen as an indicator of heritable nobility and is related to other surnames such as von Thuenen and von Frantzius. The von Martens surname can also have variants such as Van Martens and Von Marten, which exist in other countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark.
It is believed that the von Martens surname can be seen as a sign of respect and admiration, as those who bore the name were descendants of noble hunters who provided materials necessary for leather goods. The symbolism surrounding the surname continues to this day, allowing those who bear it to continue to carry on the legacy of a proud and ancient lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Martens: Where does the name von Martens come from?
The last name von Martens is primarily associated with German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and areas that formerly were part of the German Empire. Today, von Martens is still very common in these areas. It is likely to have originated from a place name indicating ownership or from a homestead called Martens.
Within Germany, the regions where this surname is most prevalent are the states of Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein, all areas with a strong Germanic history. It is also common in the areas of Berlin, Hamburg, and Saxony. In Austria, von Martens is primarily present in the provinces of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Tyrol.
Over time, von Martens has also been adopted as a part of other surnames. Occasionally, it appears as a middle name for a family line, or is blended in with other surnames, such as von Martens-Dietrich or Martens-Von-Mueller.
Through marriage, the surname von Martens has spread to other parts of the world, including North America. In the U.S., von Martens can be found in the midwestern and southern states, with the highest proportion of individuals that bear this name living in Ohio, Colorado, Michigan and Texas.
Thus, the last name von Martens is still common in the regions where it originated, as well as in many other countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname von Martens
Von Martens is an old and noble German surname, that was formerly a title of nobility. It is derived from the Latin word for 'lord' or 'master' and 'martis', which implies 'of Mars'. It is a topographic name and a habitational surname for someone living on land owned by a nobleman called Marti or a member of the nobleman's family.
The most prominent spelling of the von Martens surname is Martens. Other variants of the surname include Marten, Martensen, Martinson, Martinsen, Martinson, Martins, Martyns, Marsten, Marstens, Marstensen, Marstensson, Marstenson, Marstinsen, Marstinson and Marstins.
The von Martens surname can also have other surname spellings. Other variants of the von Martens surname include Mertens, Martinson, Martins, Martinsdottir, Martinnov, Mertzen, Matzen, Matz,Mattes and Mark.
Two relatively rare spellings of the von Martens surname are Marstens and Martensdorf. Marstens is a more common version in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark, while Martensdorf is more commonly found in Germany, Netherlands and the United States.
In conclusion, there are many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname von Martens, which can all have different meanings and origins.
Famous people with the name von Martens
- Johann von Martens (1756-1821): German diplomat and geographer.
- Johann Friedrich von Martens (1765-1828): German diplomat and historian.
- Adolf Friedrich von Martens (1758-1841): German jurist and historian.
- Otto von Martens (1715–1790): German scholar and naturalist.
- August Karl von Martens (1774-1848): German legal theorist and diplomat.
- Ulrich von Martens (1773-1855): Russian zoologist.
- Maxim von Martens (1845-1909): Russian diplomat.
- Paul von Martens (1750-1838): German dramatist.
- Friedrich Georg von Martens (1771-1848): Russian jurist and diplomat.
- Friedrich August von Martens (1790-1839): German botanist.