Surname Zwanzger - Meaning and Origin
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Zwanzger: What does the surname Zwanzger mean?
The last name Zwanzger is a German surname, believed to be derived from the Bavarian word 'zwanzig' meaning 'twenty'. As such, there are several interpretations of this surname, each of which evoking the idea of ‘twenty’.
One interpretation suggests that the name originates from an individual who was the twenty-first born of his or her family, where the Bavarian 'zwanzig' meaning 'twenty' was combined with 'er', a common suffix used to designate a person's rank in a family. Hence, translating literally to 'twenty-er', the surname evokes the idea of the twentieth or twenty-first born of a family.
A second interpretation suggests that the surname could have originated as a descriptor of an occupation, perhaps referring to either a tax collector who went door to door collecting taxes in the form of cash in equal twenty shilling increments, or a craftsman who worked with twenty separate tools. The addition of the suffix 'er' to the 'zwanzig' or 'twenty' in this case would identify an individual working in such an occupation, producing a combined meaning of ‘twenty-er’.
Finally, the name was also used as a locational or toponymic surname, referring to someone from any of the several places in Germany with the same root, which could be either of two nouns; 'zwanzig' meaning ‘twenty’ or 'zwinger' meaning ‘enclosure’.
Whichever interpretation is the most accurate, the surname Zwanzger has been in use in central Germany for several centuries and continues to be used by families with German-Bavarian roots today.
Order DNA origin analysisZwanzger: Where does the name Zwanzger come from?
The surname Zwanzger is most common today in Germany, where it accounts for approximately 0.003% of the population. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and in small numbers in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In Germany, the name is most common in Bavaria, particularly in the cities and towns of Nürnberg, Heidenheim, Leutkirch, Lindau, and Würzburg. Other parts of the country where the name can be found are Hesse, Thüringen, Baden-Württemberg, and other regions.
The origin of the surname Zwanzger is unclear. One theory is that it is derived from the Middle High German surname Svanzger; another is that it is derived from an occupational title, such as the blacksmith Zʀānswarc or the carpenter Zwanschiger.
Regardless of its origin, today the surname Zwanzger is a relatively uncommon one and makes up a small portion of the population of Germany and other countries as well. As with many uncommon surnames, it is important to research family history and investigate the possible connection of any individuals who carry the surname.
Variations of the surname Zwanzger
The surname Zwanzger is of German origin and is a variant spelling of the original surname Zwanziger. Variations on the spelling of Zwanzger include Zwanziger, Zwanseger, Zwanzeger, Zwansiger, Zwansiger, and Zwansiger.
The Zwanzger surname is derived from the German word "zwanzig," which translates to "twenty." Consequently, those bearing this name may have originated from an area of Germany where families had the ancestral right to pay twenty Schillings in tax. This was a right granted to families of note in later Medieval Germany.
The Zwanzger surname has been documented in many regions throughout Germany, including Irachtal, Günzburg, Freiberg, Erfurt, Swabia, Prussia, Bavaria, and Saxony.
Alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin include Zehnziger, Zwenziger, Zehnzeiger, Zehntzinger, Zehntzeiger, and Zehnzinger. Similarly, alternate surnames with the same origins exist, such as Zwainsig, Zwienziger, Zwiensiger, and Zwenseger.
The spelling of the surname has also changed over time, with many modern variations being adopted due to German pronunciation such as "zwaanzige." This alteration in spelling has been seen even within the same family where the father's surname was written Zwanziger and the son's was written as Zwanzge.
Today, the surname Zwanzger continues to be found among German Americans, Dutch people, and Swiss citizens, although it is not as common as some of the other surnames of the same origin. Nonetheless, those that do bear this surname can trace their ancestry back to Germany and proudly carry the name.
Famous people with the name Zwanzger
- Ivana Maria Zwanzger: a southern German YouTuber and influencer
- Sanni Zwanzger: German singer and cook
- Johanna Zwanzger: German swimmer
- Gerbert Zwanzger: German soccer player
- Claus Zwanzger: German professional cyclocross racer
- Frieder Zwanzger: German former soccer player
- Kurt Zwanzger: German diceless role-playing game author
- Matthias Zwanzger: German classical guitarist
- Jürgen Zwanzger: German Olympic Paralympic athlete
- Fritz Zwanzger: former German President of the International Skat League