Surname Ziegon - Meaning and Origin
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Ziegon: What does the surname Ziegon mean?
The last name Ziegon is of German origin, and its literal meaning translates to “tithe man”. This allusion is derived from the practice of tithes (taxes paid in kind to a local church or official) which was common during the Middle Ages. The origin of the surname is believed to have been an occupational one, derived from those who took on the role of collecting these tithes.
Due to the heavy regulation of tithes, it is likely that Ziegon served as an official title among certain communities during this time. Many spelling variations of Ziegon have been known to exist over the centuries, with nicknames such as Ziegemann, Ziegler, and Zeigervon becoming more common during the 19th century. This likely reflects the changing landscape of German family names over time.
Today, the surname Ziegon is found in many parts of the world, especially in the United States, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is unclear to what degree those with the surname today are related to the original tithe men, but it is likely that their ancestral roots may go back to those times.
Order DNA origin analysisZiegon: Where does the name Ziegon come from?
The last name Ziegon is most commonly found in Germany, where it is estimated that around 9700 people carry the name. It is also found in countries with strong historical ties to Germany like Austria and Switzerland.
The derivation of the name is from the Old German word "Ziegengaut," meaning "goat's valley." This suggests that the original people carrying the name had ties to goat herding and possibly associated with the area where such activity occurred.
Today, the Ziegon surname can be found primarily in rural, small towns located in the regions of Germany where the family's origins were first established - primarily in the states of Bavaria and Thuringia.
Immigrants from Germany also carried the last name abroad in the 19th century, making it possible to also find pockets of Ziegons in countries like The United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
The name is not particularly common and there are likely more people who have the name outside Germany than within it, which may be attributed to the tendency of emigrants to notable places like the United States during the 19th century.
Variations of the surname Ziegon
The surname Ziegon is thought to have originated in Middle Europe and migrated to England shortly afterwards. It is believed to have been derived from the German “Ziege”, meaning ‘goat’, and “rune”, meaning ‘mystery’.
Common variants of the surname include Zeigen, Ziegahn, Ziegler, Ziegler-Ritter, Ziegengin, Zigen, and Etzgen. Variations in the spelling of the surname can include Ziegen, Ziegenp, Zigeon, and Zeigern.
The surnames “Ritter” and “Gin” are often used to create double-barrel names with Ziegon, for example – Ziegler-Ritter and Ziegengin.
Surnames of similar origin include Zeig, Zegen, Zezelin, Siglmainer, Sigl, Ziegemann, Ziegemont, and Zeihr.
Many of the surnames, both those based on the “Goat” root and those with a “mystery” meaning, are still popular today. An alternative modern variation is Ziegenspeck, which is derived from the words “goat” and “fat”.
Famous people with the name Ziegon
- Michael Ziegon: A German actor who has starred in movies such as “Mr. Nobody” and “Love Actually.”
- Clara Ziegon: A German actress known for her role as Inga in the TV series “Lindenstraße.”
- Waltraud Ziegon: A German opera singer who has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Bayreuth Festival, and the Berlin State Opera.
- Julia Ziegon: German model and fashion designer who has been featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.
- Franz Ziegon: A German physicist and professor at the Technical University of Munich who developed the theoretical foundations of quantum chromodynamics.
- Volker Ziegon: A German physicist who specializes in astroparticle physics and is a faculty member in the School of Physics at the University of Würzburg.
- Henry Ziegon: A German-born American economist and lecturer at the University of Heidelberg in the Department of Economics.
- Ursula Ziegon: A German journalist and poet.
- Günter Ziegon: A German film director and screenwriter who wrote the screenplay for “The Nasty Girl” and directed the films “The Most Unpopular Woman in Germany” and “Married Life.”
- Jörg Ziegon: A German filmmaker and director who is best known for his award-winning documentary films “Death on Request” and “The Kindness of Strangers.”