Surname Mettag - Meaning and Origin
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Mettag: What does the surname Mettag mean?
The last name Mettag is generally believed to be of German origin. It’s an occupational surname, with “mett” likely coming from the German word “Metzger” meaning “butcher” and “ag” being a diminutive suffix. The surname likely originated in the small village of Mettag in Northern Germany, and can still be found there today.
The earliest record of the surname is from 1513, when Johann Henrich Mettag appears in a birth register in the nearby town of Mariental. In the 17th century, Johannes Mettag emigrated to Amsterdam and is believed to be an ancestor of the Mettag family found today around the world.
Many members of the Mettag family are still butchers, as the surname suggests, and can be found in cities across Germany. However, the last name has spread throughout the world with many using it as a nickname for their own profession. For example, in the United States there are many Metag’s who are teachers, attorneys, writers, engineers, and scientists.
No matter what profession they choose, Mettag’s generally share a common ancestor, and by knowing their family history, they can trace their lineage back hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisMettag: Where does the name Mettag come from?
The last name Mettag is a German-derived surname, and is most commonly found in Germany today. It is especially common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, it ranks among the top 8,000 surnames. Low Saxony is also home to thousands of Mettags.
Outside of Germany, instances of the name Mettag are scattered throughout continental Europe, particularly in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
The name has also spread to the United States and Canada during the 19th century, most notably among the Pennsylvania Dutch and German immigrants. The Mettag surname is especially common among those of Amish descent, with large concentrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
In England, the surname has been found within records from London since the 19th century. It is more rare in this country, however, with limited numbers of Mettags to be found in the Yorkshire and Lancashire regions.
Finally, the name has also been recorded in Australia, where many German, Dutch, and Swiss settlers arrived in the mid-19th century. While the name is still uncommon, it can be found in scattered records throughout the continent.
In conclusion, the last name Mettag is most commonly found in Germany, with limited numbers in other European countries, North America, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Mettag
The surname Mettag (sometimes spelled Matag, Metag, or Mettig) has its origins in Germany, and is found mainly in parts of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. It is not particularly widespread and is not an especially common surname.
In German, the name Mettag is derived from the word mette, which means “vineyard,” suggesting that someone with the surname may have had ancestors who cultivated grapes for wine-making.
Alternative colours of the name include Mettig, Mittag, and Metzger. The variants Mettiger and Mettinger also exist, although these are found more often in Switzerland.
Matag is an abbreviated form of Mettag, and is found mainly in the United States. This variant is thought to have come about due to the difficulty of translating Mettag into English, since the original spelling was unfamiliar to English speakers.
The surname Metzger also has its origins in Germany, but is derived from the Old High German word mazager, which refers to someone who works in a slaughterhouse, suggesting that this was the family's original profession.
Finally, a variant spelling of the German surname Mittag is found mainly in the countries of Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. This spelling is thought to originate from the Old High German word mittare, which means “midday” or “noon.”
Overall, the surname Mettag may have various spellings and origins, but the common thread between them all is that they are of German origin and are relatively uncommon.
Famous people with the name Mettag
- Edith Mettag: Former German film actress active during the silent era and known for her roles in movies such as “Romance of a Poor Young Man” (1919) and “The Thief” (1920).
- Helmut Mettag: Actor and singer who appeared in numerous theatre and cabaret productions in Austria over the course of his career, often appearing in the leading roles.
- Klaus Mettag: Austrian author who wrote numerous plays, musicals, and operas, and was the artistic director of the Frankfurt Theater from 1983 to 1991.
- Wilfried Mettag: German philosopher and social theorist best known for his work in the field of education.
- Thomas Mettag: Swiss musician and composer, active in the late 20th century, who is known for his orchestral works.
- Dirk Mettag: German handball player who played professionally in the Bundesliga for many years and was part of the German national team from 1971 to 1974.
- Marianne Mettag: German sculptor and painter who specializing in abstract religious themes often featuring bright and vivid colors.
- Jacob Mettag: Swiss Chemist and industrialist who invented a process to separate pure caprolactam from ammonium sulfate, an invention which revolutionized the synthetics industry in Europe during the early 20th century.
- Lukas Mettag: German philosopher and sociologist whose works often focus on the ethical implications of technological advances and their effects on society.