Chapter 30.0

History of the QUANTZ Name

It was not until the early Middle Ages that surnames were first used in order to distinguish between numbers of people bearing the same personal, or Christian, name. With the growth of documentation in the later Middle Ages, such names became essential and a person whose distinguishing name described his trade, his place of residence, his father's name, or some personal or physical characteristic, passed that name on to his children, and the surname became hereditary.

The German surname QUANTZ is of nickname origin, belonging to that category of names based on a personal or physical characteristic of the original bearer. In this instance, the name is traceable to the Middle High German term 'quant' which denoted 'a clever or artful person'. Nicknames were very common in medieval Europe; they were terms of endearment and affection and they were also functional so that bearers of the same Personal name could be easily distinguished. An early instance of this name occurs in 'Die Greifswalder Familiennamen des 13\14 Jahrhunderts'; one Johann dictus QUANTZ is listed therein in 1308.

At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat the flowing and draped garment worn over the armour.

BLAZON OF ARMS: Gules, on a mount of three peaks vert, a knight in armour argent, holding in his dexter hand an arrow of the same.

TRANSLATION: The knight denotes Military Honour. The arrow represents Speed, Directness and Potential Power.

CREST: Three ostrich plumes proper.

TRANSLATION: The ostrich Plumes denote Noble Birth.

ORIGIN: Germany

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