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

Lantz, 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 Lantz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lantz in America

Lantz is the 2949th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lantz surname appeared 12,169 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Lantz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lantz to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Lantz

The surname Lantz is of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word "lanz" or "lenze," meaning "spring" or "Lent." It emerged in the 13th century as a descriptive name, possibly referring to someone born during the spring season or around the time of Lent.

In its earliest forms, the name was recorded as "Lenze" or "Lentze" in various regions of Germany, particularly in the southern and central areas. Over time, the spelling evolved to "Lantz" as the name spread across different regions and dialects.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of historical documents from the Margraviate of Brandenburg, dating back to the 14th century. Here, the name "Lentze" is mentioned in connection with various individuals and landholdings.

Notable individuals bearing the Lantz surname throughout history include Johann Lantz (1564-1637), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Elector of Saxony. Another notable figure was Friedrich Lantz (1730-1805), a German philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on moral philosophy and ethics.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in records from the city of Nuremberg, where a family of artisans and craftsmen bearing the surname Lantz were documented. This family was involved in the production of intricate metalwork and jewelry, contributing to the city's reputation as a center of craftsmanship.

The name Lantz has also been associated with various place names in Germany, such as Lantzheim, a town in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, and Lantzenhain, a village in Hesse. These place names likely derived from the same linguistic roots as the surname itself.

Other notable individuals with the Lantz surname include Johann Christoph Lantz (1701-1765), a German composer and organist known for his sacred works, and Johann Michael Lantz (1683-1743), a German painter and engraver who was active in the Baroque period.

Overall, the surname Lantz has a rich history rooted in the German language and culture, with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages. While its prevalence may have shifted over time, it remains a testament to the linguistic diversity and historical significance of surnames across different regions and cultures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lantz

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Lantz 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Lantz has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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