Surname Laurenz - Meaning and Origin
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Laurenz: What does the surname Laurenz mean?
The origin of the last name Laurenz is Germanic, derived from the Latin personal name Laurentius. Additionally, it is thought to hold a patronymic origin from a variation of ‘Lawrence’. The name is a combination of laurel and a diminutive form of the Latin name Renatus or Renatus. Thus, the name literally translates to “little crowned with laurel”. The laurel was a significant symbol in ancient Rome as the gods often wore crowns crafted with it. It symbolized victory, supreme honor, and glory, and so calling someone ‘laurentius’ was often a sign of patronage.
The last name holds a certain sense of nobility in its origin. Perhaps the bearer of the surname was given patronymic favor at some point in his family’s past or perhaps it was simply used as an inheritance from a family member who had been granted the laurel crown. Today, the last name is generally associated with a person of Germanic or Eastern European ancestry, and it’s current bearers spread across the globe.
It’s possible that the surname may have also been given to honor an ancestor who served in some sort of military capacity, as soldiers were often adorned with laurel wreaths after a victorious battle. Overall, the last name Laurenz is associated with honor, personal achievement, and victory.
Order DNA origin analysisLaurenz: Where does the name Laurenz come from?
The surname Laurenz is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the Rhineland and the Pfalz regions. It is the 11th most popular surname in Germany and is prevalent in many German-speaking countries.
In terms of countries outside of Germany, Laurenz is particularly common in the United States, due to immigration waves of German speakers in the 1800s and early 1900s. It is especially found in states with past ties to Germany, such as Texas, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma.
The surname Laurenz is also a variant of the more common Lawrence surname, which is mostly found in English-speaking nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Laurenz surname is also somewhat common in France, due to the presence of many German-speaking immigrants in Alsace, a region bordering Germany.
In terms of growth, the surname Laurenz is one of the fastest-growing surnames in the United States, having jumped more than 150 places on the list of most common surnames in the US since 1990.
Overall, the surname Laurenz is most common in Germany and the German-speaking countries that border it, but is also present in countries with historic German-speaking populations, such as France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Laurenz
The surname Laurenz is an old Germanic name, derived from the Latin name Laurentius (meaning “from Laurentum”), which, in turn, originates from the Roman proper name Laurentius. The surname has been found in numerous spelling variations, including Lorenz, Lorenzen, Lorens, Lorensen, Lorenssen, Lorenzoni, Laurens, Laures, Laurin, Laurins, Lauritzen, Lawrentz, Laurentz, Lauritz, Loritz, Lurz, Lorz, Laursen, Lorentz, and Lauresen.
In addition, various versions of the surname Laurenz have developed in different countries, including the French variations Lorentz and Laurance; the Italian versions Lorenzi, Lorenzo, and Laurell; and the Spanish names Lorenzo, Lopez, Lorenzano, Laurino, and Lorenzo.
These surnames would have been adopted independently by various branches of the same family, depending on where they were living when the need to adopt a surname came into effect, which was usually around the time of the formation of national governments as we know them today. As such, it is possible to have multiple branches of the same family with different surnames, all with the same origin.
Famous people with the name Laurenz
- Hollie Laurenz: professional skateboarder
- Tim Laurenz: actor and producer
- Daniel Laurenz: cellist and composer
- Ben Laurenz: YouTuber and photographer
- Mark Laurenz: singer
- Marika Laurenz: singer and songwriter
- Alexi Laurenz: musician
- Stephanie Laurenz: reality TV star
- Sierra Laurenz: actress
- Rihanna Laurenz: entrepreneur and fashion designer