Surname Zimmerlein - Meaning and Origin
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Zimmerlein: What does the surname Zimmerlein mean?
The last name Zimmerlein is of German origin and closely translated, it means “little room”. Zimmerlein is thought to have once been a name associated with a profession or trade, as tenants in Germany often took on the name of the place they lived. In this case, “little room” could have been used to describe the small one-room dwellings of its occupants.
The Zimmerlein lineage is most commonly traced back to Bavaria and the Palatinate, two historical German regions, where the name originated over 500 years ago. It is thought that it spread into central and western Europe during the 1700s and 1800s with the worldwide migration of Germanic peoples.
Today, Zimmerlein is a relatively infrequent surname that can be found throughout Europe as well as in the United States and Canada. It continues to signify the place of origin of its holders and still carries a sense of the small-town lifestyles and values of its first bearers. Despite its rarity, the Zimmerlein name continues to evoke a sense of warmth and tradition as its holders pass these values to their next generations.
Order DNA origin analysisZimmerlein: Where does the name Zimmerlein come from?
The last name Zimmerlein is most commonly found in Germany, where it was first established centuries ago. The German spelling of the name is Zimmerlein, though in other countries it can be spelled differently.
In the United States, Zimmerlein is a fairly rare surname. According to the 2019 US Census, only 296 people in the country have the last name. It is common in some southern states, such as Alabama and Georgia, where the highest numbers of people carry the name, as well as Illinois and Pennsylvania. Zimmerlein is also found in Canada and Australia, with the highest numbers of people bearing the surname living in British Columbia and Victoria, respectively.
Europe also has a strong concentration of Zimmerleins, with the highest number of people bearing the name living in Germany, followed by the Czech Republic, Austria, Luxembourg, and France. The population of Zimmerleins in Europe is estimated to be much higher than that of the United States, though exact numbers are not known.
With its origin in Germany and strong presence in other parts of Europe, it is likely that the last name Zimmerlein will remain common for many years to come.
In conclusion, Zimmerlein is a common last name in Germany and several other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is most heavily concentrated in Germany and Europe, where its roots lie.
Variations of the surname Zimmerlein
The surname Zimmerlein is a diminutive form of the German surname Zimmermann (which means “room-man”). It is a patronymic name, meaning it was created from the father’s name as the surname. The variants and spellings of this surname include Zimmerly, Zimmerlein, Zimmerline, Zimerman, Zimermann, Zimmarman, Zimmarmann and Zimmerling.
This surname originated in the Rhineland of Germany and slowly began to spread across the continent, with families bearing this name settling in numerous regions in Germany, including Bavaria, Baden and Hesse. The spelling of this surname varies across different regions of Germany, hence there are numerous variants of the same name. For example, the spelling of Zimmerling is more common in East Germany, while Zimmermann is more popular in the West.
As the name spread, the variants and spellings of Zimmerlein began to develop in other countries as well. In the United States, as well as in France, families bearing the surname Zimmerlein spelled their name Zimmerline. Other spellings, such as Zimerman and Zimermann, can be found in Pennsylvania, while the variants Zimmerman and Zimmelman can be found in Wisconsin.
The surname Zimmerlein is considered to be one of the oldest surnames in Germany. It is estimated that the name has been in use since the 12th century, and has survived for over 800 years and is still found in numerous countries across the world today.
Famous people with the name Zimmerlein
- Eric Zimmerlein: a news anchor and TV reporter for KGWN-TV in the US state of Wyoming.
- Robert Zimmerlein: a former professional American football player in the NFL.
- John Zimmerlein: a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the New York Yankees in the 1920s.
- Paul Zimmerlein: a musician and conductor who was the music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1938 to 1947.
- Joseph Zimmerlein: an American cartoonist and illustrator, known for his work on the comic strip, "The Katzenjammer Kids."
- Lars Zimmerlein: a German footballer who played for the German national team between 1991 and 1994.
- Doug Zimmerlein: an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and director, best known for writing and directing the horror film "Hotel Fear."
- Bob Zimmerlein: a nationally recognized Figure Skating Judge who has judged World and Olympic competitions.
- Jeffrey Zimmerlein: an American physicist and author who is known for his work in quantum mechanics and quantum computing.
- Rebecca Zimmerlein: an American television anchor and journalist who has worked for multiple stations including WJZ-TV in Maryland.