| ![Show Contents]() Metts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany During the Middle Ages, the surname of Metts was used in Austria. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in Germany, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. Many people, such as the Metts family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Metts was an occupational name for a knife maker having derived from the Old German word messer, meaning knife. Early Origins of the Metts familyThe surname Metts was first found in Austria, where the name could be considered to have made a great contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of modern Europe. Literally, the name could either mean "one who made knives and daggers," for "Metz" is the mediaeval form of "Messer," or it could mean "one who operates a mill," for "metze" was the medaieval weight scale for foodstuff such as corn and flour. Chronicles first mention one Peter mit der metzen of Glatz in 1356, and a "Mecze" who was the wife of Ramfold von Gersdorf in 1390. Metz is also the Germanized form of the Latin "Mediomatrica," a city on the Moselle River in what was once Westphalia, but is now France, which Caesar described as one of the oldest and most important towns of Gaul. The name "Metzer" then means "from the city of Metz." Strasbourg chronicles mention Conrad Metzer von Hagenau in 1295. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the tribal and national conflicts, in which each group sought power and status in an ever changing territorial profile. Early History of the Metts familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Metts research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1787 and 1796 are included under the topic Early Metts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Metts Spelling VariationsIn the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Metts include Metz, Metzmacher, Metzner, Metze, Mets, Metsch and many more. Early Notables of the Metts familyAnother 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Metts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Metts RankingIn the United States, the name Metts is the 6,067th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1
 Metts migration to the United States | + |
Austria was made a republic after the First World War. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up by the Treaty of Versailles and many of its people found themselves in the new nation of Czechoslovakia. Many other Austrians and expatriate Austrians made their way to North America in the 20th century. Most landed in Philadelphia, later continuing on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Some Austrian settlers also went to western Canada and Ontario. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Metts or a variant listed above:
Metts Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Henry Metts, aged 25, who immigrated to America from Southampton, in 1897
Metts Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Alfred Henry Metts, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States from Aston, England, in 1907
- Bernard Metts, aged 41, who landed in America from London, England, in 1916
- Nadine Metts, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1920
- Leroy Metts, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1922
- L. Metts, aged 38, who landed in America, in 1924
| Contemporary Notables of the name Metts (post 1700) | + |
- Brigadier-General John Van Bokkelen Metts (1876-1959), American Commanding Officer 60th Infantry Brigade (1926-1936) 2
- W. F. Metts, American football coach and sports figure
- William F. Metts, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Greenville, South Carolina, 1894-98 3
- Ida Metts (1901-1973), Russian-born anarchist
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Metts migration to the United States 
