Surname Merthiens - Meaning and Origin
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Merthiens: What does the surname Merthiens mean?
The last name Merthiens is an old and noble Dutch surname. It comes from the ancient region of Friesland, where the original bearer of the name lived. The name is derived from the pre-7th century Germanic word ‘merth’, meaning ‘great’ or ‘glorious’. It is believed that the Merthiens family began as a noble family from the region of Friesland, and were likely highly-regarded members of local society.
In the Middle Ages, the Merthiens family had many prominent members that held high positions in the military and trading networks. They were respected and revered for their bravery and strong sense of duty. The Merthiens family provided many soldiers and captains during numerous European wars, and was involved in the politics of various duchies and republics around The Netherlands.
The last name Merthiens is still common today, and is associated with a family of strong character, focused on pursuing the highest level of success. They are seen as hard-working individuals who are well-respected and revered by their peers. The name is a reminder that the old values of hard work and honor still hold true.
Order DNA origin analysisMerthiens: Where does the name Merthiens come from?
The last name Merthiens can be found mainly in German-speaking countries today. It is a very uncommon name outside of Germany and is usually spelled Mertens in other countries.
In Germany, Merthiens is most common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony. The name is quite rare even in Germany, as it does not even appear in many official public records, including the telephone directory, birth, or marriage records.
In the Netherlands, Merthiens is not a common name either. It is found mostly in the north of the country, in cities such as Groningen and Friesland.
In the United States, Merthiens is not common either, although some people with the surname can be found in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
In other European countries, such as Switzerland and France, the variants of the name, including Merthier and Merten, are quite uncommon as well.
Overall, the last name Merthiens is not very common today and can primarily be found in areas of German-speaking countries and a handful of American states.
Variations of the surname Merthiens
The surname Merthiens is a French surname, derived from the personal name Mathieu. Variations of this name include Merthieu, Merthes, Merthiez and Merthis. It is also a rare spelling of the surname Matience.
Most variants of the Merthiens surname, including Matience, are found in France, but they can also be found in Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada and the United States where there are many French and French-Canadian immigrants.
Merthieu is the most common variation of this surname. It is also the original spelling of the name, and has been used since at least the 13th century. It is believed that the name originated in Picardy, a region in Northern France.
Another popular variant is Merthes. This spelling is often used by people from Belgium and Luxembourg, although it can also be seen in France. It is believed to be derived from Mathieu and Merthieu.
The rare variant Matience is also found in France and the United States. It is derived from Mathieu and has been in use since the 19th century.
Overall, all of the variants of Merthiens have the same origin. Even though there are some minor differences in spelling, they all ultimately refer to the same name and originate from the same place.
Famous people with the name Merthiens
- Patrick Merthiens: French footballer.
- Shawn Merthiens: American actor, director, and musician.
- Jeff Merthiens: American musician, songwriter, and producer.
- Paul Merthiens: French Olympic judoka.
- Eric Merthiens: French basketball player.
- Pierre Merthiens: French actor, comedian, and playwright.
- Philippe Merthiens: French actor, director, and screenwriter.
- Lina Merthiens: French model and actress.
- Lois Merthiens: French businesswoman.
- Mariano Merthiens: French actor, director, and writer.