Coblentz
A locational surname meaning “from Koblenz,” the German city at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.
The #8,814 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 83,130 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Coblentz is a surname taken from the place-name Koblenz, the German city now usually spelled Koblenz. The city’s name goes back to Latin Confluentia, referring to the meeting of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. In surname use, it simply marked someone as originating from that place.
History
The surname appears in Jewish and other German-speaking family-name traditions as a habitational name. Older spellings such as Coblence and Coblentz reflect French and Latinized forms of the city name. The form became established in English-language records through immigration and anglicized spelling practice.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Koblenz’s Roman name, Confluentes/Confluentia, points to the famous confluence where two major rivers meet.
From the historical record
“Nom de voisin. Coblance, Coblence, Coblentz. Originaire de Coblentz ! AUeni. >. Du latin Confluentia, qui rappelait le confluent du Rhin et de la Moselle en cette ville. Noms de familles”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)