Surname Zinngraf - Meaning and Origin

Zinngraf: What does the surname Zinngraf mean?

The surname Zinngraf is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German "zincgraue" which translates to ‘tin gray’. Historically, the word ‘Zinngraue’ was used to describe tanners and workers who used tin in their trade. As a result, the surname is often associated with metal trade and metalworking.

The surname was likely popularized during the Middle Ages, when metalworking was an important skill and yielded high prestige. But as technology and industry progressed, the use of tin decreased in favor of other materials, such as steel. This could be why the surname isn't as common today.

The name is also Germanic in its spelling but has changed over time. In some instances, such as in Alsace-Lorraine, the name Zinngraff has become popularized. In theory, it is possible that this version of the surname comes from a specific region, since the surname is better known in certain areas than others.

The surname Zinngraf is not common, but is still well-recognized within the metalworking communities in some regions. The Germanic roots of the surname still remain evident and today it is still closely tied to the ancient craft of metalworking.

Zinngraf: Where does the name Zinngraf come from?

The last name Zinngraf is most common in Germany, specifically in the region of Bavaria. Bavaria is the largest of the 16 states in Germany in terms of land area and population, and its capital is Munich. It is the seventh most populous country in Europe.

One of the most famous people with the surname Zinngraf is composer Johannes Apfel Zinngraf (1878 – 1951). Much of his work was published by the University of Freiburg and other publications throughout Europe.

The last name can still be found in Germany today. According to the German Knights of Arms Register, there is a registered knight with the surname, Zinngraf, living in Saxony, and two living in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg. Additionally, the German Surnames Database shows that there are currently over 700 people living in Germany with the surname Zinngraf.

Although the surname is most common in Germany, it can also be found in areas with a German heritage, such as the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that there are currently 28 people living in the United States with the last name Zinngraf.

Overall, the surname Zinngraf is most common in Germany, but is also found in other countries with German diaspora, such as the United States.

Variations of the surname Zinngraf

The variants, spellings and surnames of Zinngraf are German in origin. The most basic version is Zinngraf, which is a combination of two German words, ‘Zinn’ meaning ‘tin’ and ‘Graf’ meaning ‘count’’. Common variants of the name include Zingraf, Zinngraff, Zinngrayf, Zingrof, and Zingreif, among others. Other surnames of similar origins include Sintergrath, Zinngräfin, Zinngrafen, Zintergrath, and Zingergrath.

The surname can also be found in its Dutch form, Zinggraaf, and in the modern Americanized version of Singraff. Other spellings related to this surname include Singgrefe and Signgraff.

In terms of variants related specifically to the German origin, the surname can also take the form of Tinnkraff, Zimngraf, Zingrath, and Zinngraace, as well as several other archaic spellings.

The surname of Zinngraf has been primarily found in southeastern Germany and the Netherlands. It is likely that variations of the name found in eastern Germany are related to derivations of the surname from medieval German, as is also the case with the Dutch surname. Certain spellings have remained particularly prominent in the Netherlands, with Zinggraaf being especially common. The Russian form of the name is Zinngrafit.

In conclusion, there are many different variants and spellings of the German surname Zinngraf, which reflects its long and varied history. These include Zinngraff, Sintergrath, Zinggraaf, Singraff, Tinnkraff, and Zinngrafit, among others. Spellings of these variations have evolved over the centuries, resulting in an array of forms from which to choose.

Famous people with the name Zinngraf

• Christian Zinnngraf: German sound engineer and record producer known for his work on over 200 albums.
• Michael Zinnngraf: German politician and member of the Bavarian state parliament for the Free Democratic Party.
• Alfred Zinnngraf: German music producer, sound engineer and musician.
• Robert Zinnngraf: German artist, book illustrator and cartoonist.
• Lucas Zinnngraf: German rower who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Wolfgang Zinnngraf: German producer and scriptwriter of radio plays and television series.
• Catherine Zinnngraf: German composer, organist and harpsichordist.
• Patrick Zinnngraf: German chef best known as the co-founder and owner of Restaurant Zinnngraf in Heidelberg, Germany.
• Ann Zinnngraf: Author and founder of the blog, Shadow on the Wall, that highlights the tribulations of combat veterans, police officers, and firefighters.
• M re Zinnngraf: French author, founder and co-director of publishing house Éditions Zinnngraf.
• Friz Zinnngraf: Investigative journalist and editor of The New York Times.
• Marlene Zinnngraf: German poet, short story writer, and editor.
• Eugenius Zinnngraf: German architect and designer best known for his work in Art Deco and Jugendstil architectural styles.

Other surnames

Zinngreb