Surname Zumbiehl - Meaning and Origin

Zumbiehl: What does the surname Zumbiehl mean?

Zumbiehl is a German surname, derived from the root word zümbel. This root word comes from the Middle High German zumbele, which roughly translates to "small, crested, bird-like beast." In Germanic folklore, zümbels were creatures similar to dwarves, fairy-like in nature. These supernatural beings were associated with caves, mines, and were believed to have some connection with magical artifacts or minerals.

The surname is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages with an individual who possessed the skill of working with metals, whether as a smith or a miner. It likely also has connotations of a trustworthy farmer or laborer. Interestingly, it could also refer to a person who was associated with cattle-rustling or with leading groups of farmers or lobbyists.

Although the name is of Germanic origin, it is found throughout much of Europe, especially in countries bordering Germany. Today, the Zumbiehl surname is still found in Germany and surrounding countries, as well as the United States and Canada. As with most surnames, specific meanings can vary from one family to the next, but its overall meaning of an expert worker or negotiator likely remains true regardless of geographical origin.

Zumbiehl: Where does the name Zumbiehl come from?

The last name Zumbiehl is most commonly found in Germany and Scandinavia today. The surname is first noted in Germany in the 12th century, when the name Zumbiehl is found among Bavarian families.

In Germany, Zumbiehl has remained an uncommon surname, especially outside of Bavaria. Across the country, it is estimated that fewer than 1,800 people carry the surname.

In Scandinavia, Zumbiehl is more common, with an estimated 3,500 people in Norway and Denmark. The majority of Scandinavian Zumbiehl's reside in Norway and, as with Germany, the majority of them can be found in the Scandinavian-Bavarian region.

While it is relatively uncommon in Germany and Scandinavia, Zumbiehl can be found in some other parts of Europe. For example, in Russia, there are estimated to be just over 1,000 people with the surname. Spain also has a small presence of Zumbiehl's, with just over 500 people recorded as having the name. In addition, the surname can be found in a small number of US cities.

Overall, the last name Zumbiehl today is most commonly found in Germany and Scandinavia, while small pockets of the name can be found in other parts of Europe and the United States.

Variations of the surname Zumbiehl

Zumbiehl is a German patronymic name derived from the personal name "Zumbi", which is derived from the German word "zumben", meaning "to buzz or hum". Variants of the surname Zumbiehl include Zumbiel, Zumbielle, Zumbihl, Umbiehl, Umbiele, Umbihl, Umpiehl and Umpiele.

In the United States, many families with this surname have changed the spelling in various ways, such as Umbach, Umpenhour, Zembehl, Zembiehl, Zempel, Zempelberg, Zemple, Zemprell, Zimpel, Zimpelmann, Zombach, Zombeck, Zomber, Zombiel, Zompfel, Zomph, Zumph, and Zumpe.

In Germany, Zumbiehl is often found in its variants of Zumbiel and Zumbihl (with the same origin as Zumbiehl). Furthermore, there is still a present day branch of the family that use the variants Umpiehl and Umpiele.

Families with the surname Zumbiehl have often been found in records in the German states of Prussia and Bavaria as well as in Switzerland and Austria. In the 16th and 17th centuries, many Zumbiehls resided in the cities of Nürnberg and Ulm.

In addition to the original spellings, the surname Zumbiehl has been found in many other countries in slightly modified forms. For instance, the surname has taken on different variants, such as Zombi in Italy, Zumbi in Brazil, and Zambelli in France. In Spain, it has been found as Zambi and in Portugal, as Zambil.

Famous people with the name Zumbiehl

• Nick Zumbiehl: a professional American bassist, best known for his work on the 2015 album Resurrection, Aretha Franklin and Sam Smith's Grammy-winning album In the Lonely Hour, and other projects.
• Rick Zumbiehl: a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox in the 1990s.
• Kevin Zumbiehl: an American figure skater, four-time US National Champion and multi-medalist at the World Junior Championships.
• David Zumbiehl: a former American football defensive lineman who went to the Pro Bowl in 1986.
• Kaylen Zumbiehl: a Cuban American artist from Miami, Florida, best known for his acrylic abstract paintings and minimalist sculptures.
• Sven Zumbiehl: a German painter renowned for his landscapes and seascapes.
• Chrys Zumbiehl: a Los Angeles-based photographer who specializes in celebrity portraiture and contemporary landscape photography.
• Kurt Zumbiehl: a software engineer and entrepreneur known for co-founding the tech company FaceMe+.
• Edmund Zumbiehl: a German politician who was president of the European Young Democrats from 2009 to 2011.
• Tori Zumbiehl: a British fashion designer who creates clothes with a bold modern aesthetic and global influences.

Other surnames

Zumbiel