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

Fanz, 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 Fanz surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Fanz in America

Fanz is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fanz surname appeared 108 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 Fanz.

The history of the last name Fanz

The surname Fanz is believed to have its origins in Germany, with its first records dating back to the medieval period, specifically around the 13th to 14th centuries. The areas of origin are largely concentrated in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, which were notable for their diverse and rich cultural history.

The name Fanz is derived from the Middle High German word "fanz," which is a diminutive form of the name Franz, translating to Francis in English. This diminutive form was often used affectionately or to denote a younger family member. During medieval times, many surnames were formed from given names to distinguish between individuals in records and daily transactions.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the surname Fanz appears in the town of Bamberg, Bavaria, in a document dated 1359, which refers to a certain Heinrich Fanz as a landowner and craftsman. Historical texts did not always maintain a uniform spelling, and variations such as Vanz and Fantz have been noted in municipal records and church registers throughout the 14th and 15th centuries.

A notable bearer of the name was Johann Fanz, a well-regarded scholar and theologian born in 1465, who contributed extensively to early Reformation literature in Saxony. His works were critical in influencing the intellectual environment leading up to the Protestant Reformation. His death was recorded in 1536, and his contributions to religious debates are preserved in a number of university archives in Germany.

Another significant person with this surname was Georg Fanz, born in 1574, who was a pioneering figure in the agrarian reforms in Bavaria. His efforts in negotiating and implementing the redistribution of farmland were crucial during a period marked by economic and social upheaval. Records show he played a significant role until his death in 1632.

The name appears in military records as well, with Captain Ludwig Fanz being an officer in the Prussian army during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). His bravery in the Battle of Breitenfeld in 1631 earned him recognition and a place in historical military chronicles. His descendants continued to serve in various capacities within Prussian military ranks.

Sebastian Fanz, an influential merchant born in 1721, was another prominent figure. He expanded his family's trade business across European borders, dealing primarily in textiles and spices. His ventures were significant in establishing trade routes that benefited the local economies of both Germany and neighboring countries. He died in 1775, and his legacy is documented in the commercial records of the time.

One more historical mention of the name Fanz is found in the arts, with the painter Karl Friedrich Fanz, born in 1803, who gained notoriety for his landscape paintings that captured the essence of the Bavarian countryside. His works are still displayed in several art museums in Germany, and he passed away in 1879, leaving behind a significant influence on the style of regional artwork.

Overall, the surname Fanz carries a legacy rooted in various spheres such as religion, agriculture, military service, commerce, and the arts, with its bearers having made notable contributions to their respective fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fanz

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

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 Fanz 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 Fanz was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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