Surname Dargatz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dargatz: What does the surname Dargatz mean?
The last name Dargatz is of Germanic origin and is derived from the name Dargatz, which was originally derived from the German personal name Conrad. Originally, the name was a patronymic, or name derived from the father's given name, meaning "son of Conrad". It is likely that the original Dargatz family originated in what is now northern Germany or northern Scandinavia.
Over time, the meaning of the name changed slightly and the spelling became associated with an occupation. Specifically, the name began to be used as a topographic name, indicating someone who lived near a darg, or a drainage ditch. Thus, those with the name Dargatz were likely those who lived near a darg.
Today, the Dargatz surname, while still widely used, is not as common as it once was. Those who bear the last name Dargatz likely hail from northern Germany, Scandinavia, and Austria, with a few in other parts of Europe as well as in the U.S. and Canada. For many Dargatz families, farming and agricultural activities have been a major source of livelihood, as well as occupations such as trades and craftsmanship.
In the modern era, many Dargatz family members find themselves in different occupations and pursuits, but whatever they do, they never forget their legacy and Old World roots.
Order DNA origin analysisDargatz: Where does the name Dargatz come from?
The last name Dargatz is most commonly found in the United States, as well as in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is not a particularly common name in any of these countries; records indicate that there are fewer than 1,500 individuals around the world bearing the last name Dargatz.
The vast majority of those who bear the name Dargatz in the United States are found in the midwest and Great Lakes region, particularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana. In Germany, many individuals with the last name Dargatz can be found in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. Those living in Austria primarily inhabit the Burgenland region in the east, while in Switzerland, most with the name live in the Canton of Zurich.
In the United States, Dargatz families are most closely concentrated along the western shore of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Some individuals also are found in the northern counties of Ohio, while others have emigrated from Germany to areas in Minnesota and other parts of the Midwest.
Based on current evidence, it appears the last name Dargatz had its origins in Germany, where it appears to have been brought to the United States mostly by immigrants from the mid-1800s to the early 20th century. The main hubs of settlement for German-Americans with the last name Dargatz have been historically concentrated in the areas mentioned above.
Variations of the surname Dargatz
The surname Dargatz is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German term "trawer", meaning "washer". As an occupational name, its variants and spellings come from different parts of German-speaking Europe. Dargatz is most common in the Hunsrück region of southwestern Germany. Its variants include:
Trawer: This was the original spelling of the surname as an occupational name, and it is still common in certain regions of Germany.
Trowers: This variant spelling is common in southern Germany and Austria.
Dörgatz: This variant is common in northwestern Germany. It comes from the Old Germanic term "dorgen" meaning "to turn.
Dörger: This variant is also common in northwestern Germany and derives from the same Old Germanic term as Dörgatz.
Tregers: This is another variant of the surname, and it is common in the Netherlands.
Trefzger: This variant is found mainly in southern Germany and Switzerland.
The surname Dargatz can also take on new spellings when immigrating from German-speaking countries to other areas. Examples of these include Drager in the United States, Troger in Canada, and Dräger in Australia.
Surnames of the same origin as Dargatz include Trenker, Doerger, Trager, Träger, and Turger. These are a few examples of the many variations of the surname that exist across German-speaking Europe.
Famous people with the name Dargatz
- Jens Dargatz: German actor who has appeared in a variety of films and television shows including Tatort, Polizeiruf 110, and Bella Block amongst many others.
- Mark Dargatz: former professional American ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- Catherine Dargatz: American actress best known for her roles in the television series Mad Men, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Scorpion.
- Kevin Dargatz: Canadian visual effects artist who has worked on films such as Stranger Things, The Hunger Games, and The Avengers.
- Rebecca Dargatz: German figure skater, who won multiple titles at the German and European championships.
- George M. Dargatz: American Brigadier General who served in the United States armed forces during World War II and Vietnam and was a decorated veteran.
- Karl Dargatz: German journalist and writer who specialized in the genre of crime journalism.
- Olaf Dargatz: German photographer who works mainly in portraiture, travel, and commercial photography.
- Urs Dargatz: Swiss avant-garde composer and musician who has been active in the European new music scene since the 1980s.
- Paul Dargatz: German actor and director who has appeared in numerous stage plays, films, and television shows.