Surname Zasse - Meaning and Origin

Zasse: What does the surname Zasse mean?

The last name Zasse is likely of German origin though its exact etymological roots remain uncertain. It is likely derived from the Middle High German word “zase”, meaning an individual or descendants of an individual living in the vicinity of a town gate. Throughout German history, this type of 'gate' structure had many other names but it was an important structure of the medieval city, where trade, taxes and the distribution of goods occurred.

The job of overseeing and managing the town gate was important, and as such families with the name Zasse or variants thereof could be traced to one or more persons who held this role in the 13th and 14th centuries.

The variation of surnames derived from the terms ‘zase’ and ‘zasse’ had become common throughout Germany over the centuries. Variations of the Zasse surname have included Zease, Zeese, Zeesse, Zeise, Zeiss, Zehse, Zease, Zasse, Zohse, Zoesse and Zelse.

The surname Zasse is found in German records from the 19th century, when many German families emigrated to the United States. It is also found in several other countries in Europe, including England, Scotland, Netherlands, Poland, Austro-Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Zasse: Where does the name Zasse come from?

The last name Zasse is mostly found in Germany today, although it is possible to find bearers of this surname across Europe and even elsewhere in the world. In Germany, the most areas with a high concentration of Zasse families are North Rhine Westphalia, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, and Hamburg.

It is likely the name originated in North Rhine Westphalia and has spread from there to many other areas. The earliest known bearer of the name was Johannes Zasse who was born in 1645 in Schmallenberg in North Rhine Westphalia. The surname was likely derived from some form of the German word for "jackdaw," which is Zass.

Although the name remains fairly rare today, it is possible to find notable people with the last name, such as model Alexandra Zasse and music composer Sebastian Zasse. In the US, the Zasse family was joined by Johann Jakob Zasse, who immigrated to America in 1796. He settled in Pennsylvania and his descendants are concentrated in military bases throughout the US.

Overall, the last name Zasse is most common today in Germany, but with a few branches of the family having made their way to other countries including the US.

Variations of the surname Zasse

The surname Zasse is a variation of the German and Jewish surname Zasch. It is also believed to be a variant of the Jewish surname Zaskin or Zesskin. The variations of Zasse include Zashe, Zasche, Zashae, Zashee, Zashey and Zaschi.

The surname Zasse comes from the German word "zasche" or "zaschke" which was a nickname for a mischievous or lively person. These terms were also used to describe someone with a fair complexion. This surname likely originated in the German-speaking areas of what is now modern-day Poland.

Zasse is also spelled Zas, Zassem, Zaz, Zasses, Zouzs, Zouss, Zosse, Zwasse, Zwassem, and Zwaz. Some alternate spellings of Zasse are Zasz, Zascher, Zaschen, Zayss, Zessche, Zwassey, Zwasseye, and Zimmermann.

Variations of Zasse are found in various languages and cultures including French, German, and Yiddish. Other variants include Zaschevsky, Zaseck, Zaskon, Zaskor, Zascman, Zatz, and Zaus. These variations of the name Zasse also appear in Jewish, Russian, Dutch, and Ukrainian cultures.

In sum, the surname Zasse has many variants and spellings. It is believed to originate from the early German spoken in present-day Poland. Variations found in other languages and cultures include Zaschevsky, Zaseck, Zaskon, Zaskor, Zascman, Zatz, and Zaus, among many others.

Famous people with the name Zasse

• Suzy Zasse: Canadian singer
• Kenneth Zasse: American photographer and owner of a supply company
• Katja Zasse: German figure skater
• Fred Zasse: German gymnast
• Ernest Zasse: German weightlifter
• Mandy Zasse: Belgian stage actress
• Hartmut Zasse: German double olympic champion in rowing
• Johann Zasse: German international school teacher
• Mark Zasse: American physician
• Gunther Zasse: German football player
• Ruth Zasse: American architect
• Alex Zasse: German professional basketball player
• Robert Zasse: American medical researcher
• Danielle Zasse: Dutch speed skater
• Alfred Zasse: Austrian tennis player

Other surnames

Zasser