Surname Metternich - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Metternich: What does the surname Metternich mean?
The last name Metternich is of German origin and a topographic name for someone who lived near a swamp or marsh. The surname Metternich is derived from the German word “Moor” which means “marsh” and “Nisch” which means “nook” or “corner”- referring to a low-lying area near a swamp. The family name Metternich is derived from the Old German word “Mettern” meaning "swamp". The name Metternich is known as an old German noble family with Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859) as its most famous member. He was a diplomat and statesman who rose to become one of the most powerful men in Europe in the early 19th century. As Chancellor of Austria and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire from 1809 to 1848, he was greatly influential in maintaining the post-Napoleonic order of Europe. He was also instrumental in the negotiations of the Congress of Vienna which sought to re-establish stability in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. The Metternich dynasty continues today and is known for its commitment to peace and stability. The name remains a reminder of the legacy of Metternich's leadership and diplomacy.
Order DNA origin analysisMetternich: Where does the name Metternich come from?
The last name Metternich is a German surname of noble origin. It is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and the surrounding areas. The Metternich nobles were originally from the Rhineland Palatinate region, a historical and political territory of Southwestern Germany which was formed in the early 16th century. The Rhineland Palatinate remains a part of Germany today, but is located primarily outside of the country's modern-day borders.
The Metternich name was spread throughout Central Europe during and after the Thirty Years' War, when the Rhineland Palatinate fell under foreign rule and many families were forced from their homes. By the 18th century, the Metternichs had established themselves as a prominent noble family throughout Germany, Austria, and surrounding countries.
Today, the Metternich name is still very common in this region, with many living members of the extended family still residing in Germany and Austria. It is also widely spread throughout Europe, with families in Holland, the Czech Republic, and even as far east as Russia. The Metternichs remain a prominent family within the German aristocracy, although no longer holding the prominence of their ancestor.
Variations of the surname Metternich
The surname Metternich is a German surname found primarily in the Rhineland region of Germany. There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin:
Metternic: This variant of Metternich can be traced back to the Rhineland and is spelled with an "ic" at the end.
Metternick: This variant of Metternich is also found primarily in Germany, and is spelled with a "ck" at the end.
Mettner: This variant of Metternich is generally found in southern Germany and Austria, and has the "n" replaced with an "r".
Mettenich: This variant of Metternich is found primarily in western Germany, and is spelled without the "h" at the end.
Mettenegger: This variant of Metternich can be traced back to Bavaria, and is spelled with an "egger" at the end.
Mettnerich: This variant of Metternich is found primarily in northern Germany, and is spelled with an "ich" at the end.
Metzner: This variant of Metternich is generally found in Austria, and is spelled with a "z" instead of the original "t".
Metzener: This variant of Metternich is found mainly in Austria and Germany, and is spelled with a "ener" at the end.
All of these variants, spellings and surnames of Metternich are associated with the same origin, and each one is found predominantly in a different region of Europe.
Famous people with the name Metternich
- Prince Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859): Metternich was an Austrian diplomat who served as Austrian Foreign Minister from 1809 until the revolutions of 1848. He is considered one of the most influential statesmen of the 19th century and is credited with leading Europe through a period of peace and stability following the Napoleonic Wars.
- Count Richard von Metternich-Winneburg (1773-1829): He was an Austrian statesman and diplomat who negotiated the Treaty of Schönbrunn, concluding the War of the Fifth Coalition. He also served as the Austrian ambassador to the United Kingdom between 1815 and 1822.
- Prince Victor von Metternich (1818-1890): He was an Austrian statesman who served in various positions in the Austrian government throughout much of his career, including serving as the Austrian ambassador to Russia.
- Count Karl Friedrich von Metternich-Winneburg (1821-1875): He was an Austrian statesman and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Interim Government of 1848-1849. He was also an ardent advocate of German unification.
- Prince Erich Franz Alexander Metternich-Winneburg (1847-1905): He was a German nobleman and diplomat who served as the historian to King William of Prussia in 1889. He was also the President of the Prussian Gymnastic Union from 1898 to 1903.
- Count Paul von Metternich-Winneburg (1853-1928): He was a German nobleman and diplomat who was the German ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1897 to 1908 and co-chaired the German-Turkish peace negotiations of 1907.
- Countess Lillio von Metternich-Winneburg (1859-1929): She was a German aristocrat and diplomat's daughter, who married Count Paul Metternich-Winneburg and served as the first female member of the Reichstag in 1919-1920.