Surname Zaun - Meaning and Origin
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Zaun: What does the surname Zaun mean?
The last name Zaun is of German origin and is derived from the German word “zaun” which means fence or enclosure. In some instances, the name may have also originated from the Middle High German word “zon” which means outlying area or suburb. Historically, the common spelling of this name was “Zon”, but over the years, it gradually became Zaun”.
The original meaning of the name was reflective of the fact that originally, most people with the name had either served as a postman or gatekeeper. They probably served to protect the perimeter of their respective towns, villages, and estates. As a result, “Zaun” came to be synonymous with “protector” and “guardian.”
As the name spread across central Europe, it came to be adopted in many other cultures with the same meaning and with new spellings. For instance, in Yiddish, the Zaun name is spelled “Tsom” and in Polish, it is “Zon”.
Today, the name is still relatively common in German-speaking areas. Generally, people who have this last name are proud to carry it, often boasting of their centuries-long ancestry. In some cases, descendants of this surname can even trace their family tree back to the earliest documented cases of the name where it was spelled as “Zon”.
Order DNA origin analysisZaun: Where does the name Zaun come from?
The last name Zaun is most common in Germany, where it is primarily found in the northern region. It is also found in parts of Austria and Switzerland. The name might be a variant of the German word "zaun", meaning fence or field boundary. It may have been adopted as a surname by someone who lived or worked near a fenced area.
In the United States, Zaun is primarily found in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Records show that this surname has been in the US for more than 200 years, with immigrants coming from German-speaking countries. The name has also been linked to French origins, though this link is not as strong.
Today, Zaun is still found in Germany and parts of Europe. It is also a relatively common surname in some countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada and Australia.
The meaning of the name remains in its German origins, and its history is connected to fences and boundaries. The last name Zaun is a reminder of a long history and how far back the family ties go.
Variations of the surname Zaun
The surname Zaun is an occupational surname with roots in the Middle High German word “zan” meaning “fence” and is thought to have originated in Germany. It is a fairly common German surname and has multiple spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin.
In its different spelling versions, Zaun is seen as Zahn, Zehn, and Zeane. Some of the variants include Zauner and Zaunerin. In some cases, it has been anglicized to Zoun, Zauns, and Zones.
Surnames of the same origin include Zaunert, Zaunerth, Zaunbrecher, Zaunschlaeger, Zaunerle, Zaunschmidt, and Zaunbauer.
The surname Zaun is distributed mainly in the German-speaking countries of Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Netherlands. It is also present in countries like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia as a result of European migration.
In Germany, the spelling Zahn is the most commonly used variation, while in Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, it is spelled Zehn or Zeane. In the US, it is often spelled Zauns or Zones.
The surname Zaun is a reminder of the skilled craftsmanship and labour of those who constructed the fences around farms and villages. As an occupational name it is a reminder of an important and specialist job in the European feudal system of the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Zaun
- Gary Zaun: American professional baseball player
- Bonnie Zaun: American television producer
- Kelsi Zaun: professional hockey player
- Dylan Zaun: American actor
- Wesley Zaun: American independent film director
- Lynn Zaun: American abstract expressionist
- Joey Zaun: American comedian
- Arielle Zaun: American photographer
- Chris Zaun: American fine artist
- Randy Zaun: American rock musician
- Jimmy Zaun: American professional football player
- Hal Zaun: American painter
- Ashton Zaun: American orchestral music conductor
- Gary Zaun: British actor
- Amber Zaun: British fashion photographer
- Erik Zaun: Swedish beach volleyball player
- John Zaun: Canadian film production designer
- Mark Zaun: Canadian record producer
- Alexander Zaun: German artist
- Anja Zaun: German cinematographer