Surname Waltz - Meaning and Origin
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Waltz: What does the surname Waltz mean?
The surname Waltz, of German origin, refers to the traditional style of ballroom dance, renowned for its fluidity and grace. It is derived from the Old High German word "waltzen," meaning "to roll, turn," referencing the rotational movement in the dance. The surname Waltz indicates that an individual's ancestor was likely a dancer or possibly organized or taught dance classes or events, identified by this art form. It could also denote an individual with a cheerful or lively personality, as dancing was often associated with festivities and merriment. The name could also be a habitational surname, indicating someone who lived in a place named after the dance. Like many surnames, Waltz is rooted in an occupation or characteristic of a forebear, giving us a glimpse into the cultural traditions and social practices of the past.
Order DNA origin analysisWaltz: Where does the name Waltz come from?
The last name Waltz is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also quite popular in the United States, where there is a large population of people with German ancestry. Waltz is an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German word waltzen, which means “to dance”, and indicates that the original bearer of the name was likely a dancer.
In Germany, where the Waltz surname was first found, the name is associated with south-western regions, particularly the states of Bavaria and Hesse. It is also found in small numbers in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland and Austria.
In the United States, the name is associated with immigrants from Central Europe who came to the United States between 1840 and 1914. As of 2020, Waltz is the 879th most common last name in the United States, and the name is currently ranked 7,855th in popularity among all names in the U.S. Pennsylvania and Ohio have the highest frequency of people with the last name, with Texas, Florida, Illinois, and New York coming in at close second, third, fourth, and fifth respectively.
Today, the Waltz family can be found all around the world. With descendants of the original immigrants having settled in other countries during the 20th century, it can now be found in places such as Canada, Australia, Israel, Cambodia, Mexico, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Waltz
The surname Waltz has a variety of spellings and alternate forms. Many of these spellings arose as European emigrants adjusted the pronunciation of their surname to fit the language and dialect of their new home.
The most common spellings are Waltz and Walz, though other versions of the name like Walts, Weltz, and Walzmann are found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in Scandinavia as Valts, Valtz, and Valtzberg, and in Italy as Valz, Valzz, and Valzani. In the United States, Waltz is by far the most prevalent version of the name.
These surname variations also consist of many alternate surnames. Wallichs, Walltz, Wallischeck, and Wagaltz are all variants of Waltz, while Walles, Valz, and Valtes are all variations on Walz. Weltz is an alternate of Valts, and Valentz is an alternate of Valz.
Waltz, Walz, and all of their associated surnames can often be used interchangeably. For example, records with one spelling of the surname might refer to a person who is known by another spelling in another record. It is important for anyone researching the Waltz surname to be aware of all these variants and to develop a full understanding of each of them.
Famous people with the name Waltz
- Christoph Waltz: Christoph Waltz is an Austrian-German actor and director. He is best known for portraying Nazi Major Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds and for playing the lead role in Spectre. He has also starred in films such as Carnage, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Django Unchained.
- Nastassja Waltz: Nastassja Waltz is a Swiss actress best known for her roles in films such as Amygdala, Luxury, and Unter Dem Drachenberg.
- Gunther von Hagens: Gunther von Hagens is a German anatomist who invented plastination and is best known for presenting it in the macabre and dramatic Body Worlds exhibitions. He was born with the last name Waltz, but changed it to von Hagens in 1976.
- John August Waltz: John August Waltz was an American surveyor who helped lay out the towns of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City.
- Betsy von Furstenberg: Betsy von Furstenberg is a German-American actress who was born as Betsy von Anhalt-Zerbst-Waltz. She is best known for her role in the 1976 film Julia.
- Graham Walter: Graham Walter is a British-born actor currently based in Los Angeles. He is best known for his role in the film The Witch Files.
- Zvi Hecker: Zvi Hecker is an Israeli architect and urban planner who was born with the last name Waltz. He has designed and built many notable buildings, including the Outer Envelope for the Jewish Museum Berlin.