That agrees with my limited research. The name Beltz cropping up after the name Beltzung. Not by much. I've always wondered if they don't share a common ancestor in Jean Billigzung. There is another connection of Jean Pelson l'aine who may be the father of Jean Beltzung (oo Walbourg Gladey). However, Pelson may have it's own etymology. However, it is the Beltz which interests me most, as it could very well be a shortening of the name Beltzung. I have names in other regions of Europe where this happened, and it almost always seems to happen in the early 1600s. But we would need records to tie the names together. Records which don't appear to exist. Either because they were destroyed or the two surnames are just different. Mysteries and windmills. What to chase and what not to chase? That is the question. I had just been musing on the subject, when I posted that email. Wondering if anyone else had come to my leap of logic. Thanks Etienne for responding. Brian On Mon, July 18, 2011 10:39 am, Etienne Herrbach wrote: > Brian, > > I would say that BELTZ and BELTZUNG are different names. Their > etymology isn't clear. >