Betz Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Betz Origin:

Germany

Origins of Betz:

The surname of Betz hails from the country of Germany. The surname itself derives from the Pre 5th Century personal given name of “Bernhard,” or “Beornhard,” which can be comprised of the elements “bern,” which can be translated to mean “the bear,” and “hard,” which can be translated to mean “brave,” “strong,” or “hardy.” The surname itself literally translates to mean “hardy bear.” This surname was used in certain contexts as a nickname. It is a common element of surnames throughout Europe that many of them originally derived from nicknames, as it was a very common practice in medieval times. In the beginning, nicknames were applied to people who had distinguishing characteristics, such as moral or mental peculiarities, a similar appearance to a bird or animal, a similar disposition to a bird or animal, occupation of an individual, their habits, or their manner of dress. In the instance of the surname of Betz, this surname was used to describe someone who was like a bear, or who was a particularly difficult or strong person. The popularity of the personal given name of Betz comes from St. Bernard of Clairvaux (circa 1010 to 1153) who was the founder of the Cistercian Monastery at Clairvaux, and St. Bernard of Menthon (923 to 1108) who was the founder of the Alpine hospices and the patron saint of mountaineers. Thus, the personal given name of Bernard became popularized with the Christians of this era.

Variations:

More common variations are: Beitz, Beetz, Beatz, Baetz, Bietz, Beutz, Betza, Betzu, Beatzi, Barnard, Benard, Bernat, Bernth, Bernucci, Bieratowicz

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Betz can be traced to the country of England. One person who bore the name of Hugo Bernard was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls for the city of Lincoln, England in the year of 1130. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Henry I, who was known throughout the ages as one “The Lion of Justice.” King Henry I ruled from the year of 1100 to the year of 1135. Other mentions of the surname of Betz in the country of England include Thomas Bernhard of Cambridge, England in the year of 1260.

Germany:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Betz, which is a shortened version of the surname of Bernard, that was found in the country of Germany can be found in the 13th century. One person by the name of Albertus Berenhardus, who was recorded as living in Schwenningen, Germany in the year of 1290. Another mention of the surname of Betz in the country of Germany was one Gregorius Bernhardt, who was baptized at Chemnitz, which is located in Saxony, Germany in the year of 1590, in the month of January 18th. The surname of Betz is the 16,582nd most common surname in the world. The surname of Betz is most prevalent in the country of Germany, and the surname of Betz is also found in highest concentrations within the country of Germany.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Betz: Germany 15,836; United States 12,259; France 551; South Africa 457; Canada 354; Austria 341; Argentina 284; Switzerland 261; Brazil 207; England 177

Notable People:

Claire Smith Betz (1921-2014) who was part over of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team and who was from America.

Matthew Betz (1881-1938) who was a film actor from America who appeared in over 125 films.

Pauline May Betz (born in 1919) who was a tennis player from America, and who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the year of 1965.

Carl Betz (1920-1978) who was an actor from America who was most notably recognized for his portrayal of Dr. Alex Stone on The Donna Reed Show.

Peter Betz (1949-1988) who was the executive of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team.

Karl Betz (1907-1942) who was a Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II from Germany, and who was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

Paul Otto Ferdinand Betz (1895-1944) who was a General Major in the German army in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and who was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

Franz Betz (1835-1900) who was a bass-baritone opera singer from Germany.

Albert Betz (1885-1968) who was an engineer from Germany, and who was also as pioneer of wind energy technology.

Hans-Dieter Betz (born in 1940) who was an experimental physicist and emeritus professor from Germany.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Nuremberg D’argent à l’agneau passant de sable Cimier l’agneau issant. English: Argent a lamb passant sable Crest: the lamb issuant.
2) Ratisbonne Parti au 1 de gueules au chien braque rampant d’argent colleté du même au 2 de sable à deux chevrons d’or Casque couronné Cimier le chien issant entre un vol l’aile dextre tranchée d’argent sur gueules l’aile senestre d’or à deux chevrons de sable Lambrequin conformes aux émaux du vol. English: Per pale 1st gules a pointer [dog] rampant argent collared of the same 2nd sable two chevrons or Crowned with a helmet Crest: the dog issuant between a pair of wings the wing to the dexter per bend argent over gules the wing to the sinister or with two chevrons sable Mantling: the same as the colours of the shield.
3) Biberach (Wurtemberg) D’or à l’ours naissant de sable Casque couronné Cimier l’ours issant. English: Or a bear naissant [like issuant but more of the body] sable Crowned with a helmet Crest: the bear issuant.
4) Ile-de-France D’or au chien braque de sable. English: Or a pointer [dog] sable.
5) d’Arrenberg – Suisse D’or à l’ours naissant de sable Cimier l’ours issant mouv d’un vol à l’antique d’or. English: Or a bear naissant [like issuant but more of the body] sable Crest: the bear issuant coming from an ancient pair of wings or.
6) de La Harteloire – Touraine D’or à deux fasces de sable acc de neuf merlettes du même rangées en orle. English: Or two bars sable surrounded by nine [female] blackbirds of the same arranged in orle.
7) Autriche – (Nob. de Hongrie, 3 juin 1741; barons autrichiens, 8 août 1867) De gueules au lion d’argent lampassé de gueules soutenu d’une terrasse de sinople tenant de sa patte dextre une épée d’argent garnie d’or et de sa senestre une croix latine d’or les bras dextre et senestre et le sommet pattés Casque couronné Cimier le lion issant Lambrequin à dextre d’argent et de gueules à senestre d’or et de gueules Tenants deux matelots habillés de pourpoints d’azur et de pantalons blancs et coiffés de chapeaux à larges bords de sable celui à dextre s’appuyant sur une hache d’abordage celui à senestre embrassant une rame mise en pal. English: Gules a lion argent langued gules upon a mount vert holding in its dexter paw a sword argent hilt and pommell or and in the sinister a latin cross or the dexter and the sinister arms and the top part pattee [curving outwards at the ends, see cross pattee] Crowned with a helmet Crest: the lion issuant Mantling: to the dexter argent and gules to the sinister or and gules Supporters: two sailors dressed in jerkins azure and trousers [pants] white wearing broad brimmed hats sable that to the dexter leaning on an attacking axe [battle axe?] that to the sinister embracing [holding tightly] an oar in pale.
8) Allemagne Parti au 1 de gueules au lion d’argent au 2 d’or à deux chevrons de sable Casque couronné Cimier une tête et col de chien braque d’argent colletée et bouclé d’or entre un vol l’aile dextre coupée d’argent sur gueules l’aile senestre aux armes du 2 Lambrequin à dextre d’argent et de gueules à senestre d’or et de sable. English: Per pale 1st gules a lion argent 2nd or two chevrons sable Crowned with a helmet Crest: the head and shoulders of a pointer [dog] argent collared and buckled or between a pair of wings the wing to the dexter per fess argent over gules the wing to the sinister with the arms of the 2nd Mantling: to the dexter argent and gules to the sinister or and sable.
9) de Lichtenhof – Bavière – (Nob. du St-Empire, 15 déc 1628) D’or à trois têtes d’ours de sable les deux du chef adossées Casque couronné Cimier un vol d’or chaque aile ch d’une tête d’ours de sable celle de l’aile senestre contournée. English: Or three bear’s heads sable the two in chief addorsed [back to back] Crowned with a helmet Crest: a pair of wings or each wing charged with a bear’s head sable that on the sinister wing reversed [facing to the sinister].