Find out how popular the last name Bräntz is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bräntz.

Bräntz, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bräntz surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Bräntz in America

Bräntz is the 139757th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bräntz surname appeared 110 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Bräntz.

The history of the last name Bräntz

The surname Brantz has its origins in Germany and can be traced back to medieval times. The name is primarily found in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, where Germanic languages have deep roots. The surname Brantz is believed to be derived from the German word "brant," which means "fire" or "burnt." This could suggest a connection to someone who lived near a place that had been burnt or possibly someone who worked with fire, such as a blacksmith.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Brantz date back to the 13th century. One of the first recorded mentions of the name is found in a land registry document from 1274, which refers to a Heinrich Brantz living in the Bavarian region. This suggests that the name was already well-established by this time and likely connected to the occupation or notable event involving fire.

Several variations of the surname Brantz appear in old documents, such as Brants, Branz, and Brandtz. These variations indicate the fluid nature of spelling in medieval records and reflect the regional dialects and phonetic spellings of the time. Over centuries, the spelling Brantz became more standardized, although minor variations still exist in different regions.

In historical references, the surname Brantz appears in several notable instances. One such reference is to Johann Brantz, a prominent merchant in the Hanseatic League during the 15th century. Johann was known for his extensive trade routes through the Baltic Sea, significantly contributing to the economy of his hometown in Hamburg. Born in 1410, he played a crucial role in the thriving trade network until his death in 1477.

Another historical figure bearing the surname Brantz is Paul Brantz, a German theologian and scholar born in 1575. Known for his progressive thoughts during the Reformation period, Paul published several works that critiqued the established religious doctrines of the time. He passed away in 1622, leaving behind a legacy of religious and academic discourse.

In the 18th century, the surname Brantz can be linked to Maria Brantz, a Baroque-era painter from Munich. Born in 1692, Maria gained recognition for her detailed and emotive religious paintings, which were highly sought after by churches throughout Bavaria. Her works remain celebrated for their artistic merit and historical significance up until her death in 1745.

During the 19th century, the name Brantz surfaced in Eastern Europe, notably with Franz Brantz, an influential botanist born in 1807 in Vienna. Franz's extensive research on Alpine flora brought him international acclaim. His comprehensive catalog of plant species, published in 1852, is still referenced by botanists today. Franz continued his scientific work until his passing in 1873.

One more notable bearer of the name is Elias Brantz, a prominent German-American journalist and editor from the late 19th century. Born in 1858 in Berlin, Elias immigrated to the United States, where he became known for his editorials advocating for social reform and immigrant rights. Through his work with various New York-based publications, Elias left an indelible imprint on American journalism before his death in 1925.

Through these historical references, it becomes evident that the surname Brantz has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, ranging from commerce and theology to art and science.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bräntz

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bräntz.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bräntz was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bräntz was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bräntz, please contact us.

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