Röntgens

Röntgens is a surname of German origin. In German and Dutch naming, the form Röntgens can be used as a plural or genitive form of Röntgen, or as a family name in its own right. The name is most widely recognized in connection with Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the discoverer of X‑rays.

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845–1923) was a German physicist who, in 1895 at the University of Würzburg, produced the first X-ray images while experimenting with cathode rays. His discovery revolutionized science and medicine by enabling non-invasive visualization inside objects and living bodies. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for this achievement; his early work helped establish radiography as a scientific discipline.

In the early 20th century, the roentgen (R) was the unit used to measure exposure to ionizing radiation, named after Röntgen. It was defined as the amount of X or gamma radiation that produces 2.58×10−4 coulombs of charge in one kilogram of dry air at standard conditions. The unit has largely been superseded by the SI-based coulomb per kilogram for exposure and by the gray for absorbed dose. The term appears mainly in historical or regulatory contexts today.

Beyond Wilhelm, individuals bearing the surname Röntgens exist in German-speaking and Dutch-speaking regions, but none have achieved the same level of historical prominence. The name remains relatively uncommon outside of its regional contexts.

The legacy of the name is primarily linked to X-ray science and the roentgen unit.