Putz (surname)

Putz is a German-language surname. It has multiple possible origins:

• Occupational: It may be derived from the Middle High German word "putzen," meaning "to clean" or "to decorate." As such, it could have originally denoted someone who cleaned, polished, or decorated items, such as a metal polisher, a house cleaner, or even someone who cleaned and maintained armor.

• Topographical: The name may also be topographical, derived from a place name containing "Putz" or a similar-sounding element. This could refer to a settlement, a field name, or a natural feature of the landscape.

• Habitational: In some instances, it may be a habitational name, indicating someone who originated from a place named Putz. Many small villages and farms may have gone by this name in German-speaking regions.

The surname Putz is found predominantly in German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It also appears in regions with historical German connections or migration patterns, such as the United States. Variations in spelling, reflecting dialectal differences or transcription errors, may exist. These could include Pütz or Putze.