Surname Zecheus - Meaning and Origin
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Zecheus: What does the surname Zecheus mean?
The last name Zecheus has multiple possible meanings. It may derive from the Greek Zeke, meaning “God remembers”, a reference to God’s promise to Abraham’s son, Isaac, that He will remember his descendants. The root of Zeke is also believed to be derived from the Hebrew zakai, meaning “pure one”.
Alternatively, the name Zecheus could be related to the Latin phrase secuus, meaning “the chosen one”.
The name is also known to be an Anglicized version of the Dutch Sijs, which refers to a type of bird.
It has also been suggested that the name may come from the Arabic saheh, meaning to grow, build or erect.
Zecheus is a strong, biblical name with a rich meaning stemming from both Abrahamic and European origins. As a testament to its history, it is still popular in many English-speaking cultures today.
Order DNA origin analysisZecheus: Where does the name Zecheus come from?
The last name Zecheus is believed to have originated in Biblical times, and today is most commonly found in Africa, particularly in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
The name Zecheus appears numerous times throughout the Old Testament, as it was the name of a publican who became a disciple of Jesus. This could explain why the name is so widely prevalent in African countries, where Christianity is still a strongly followed religion.
In recent decades, African migrants with the last name Zecheus have settled throughout the world in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the countries of the Caribbean. It is fairly common for migrants to keep their last names, so it is possible to find individuals with this name in many different countries.
In addition to African-origin Christians, the name Zecheus is also used by some Jewish congregations, although primarily now in the US and Canada. This is likely due to many Jewish people having reportedly migrated to the US and Canada around the 18th century. However, unlike in the African-origin populations, it is not as commonly found today among the Jewish people in other countries.
Today, it is quite common to find people with the last name Zecheus in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, India, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
Variations of the surname Zecheus
The surname Zecheus is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Zacchaeus. It is one of the most common Biblical names and is often spelled commonly as Zachaeus, Zacchaeus, or Zacheus. In the United States and Canada, the surname is mainly found as Zecheus, with Zacchaeus and Zachaeus seen as alternative spellings.
The spelling variants of Zecheus include Zekeus, Zekeias, Zeckias, Zeccius, and Zecheias. In other countries of the world, the surname is spelled Zakheus, Zaheus, Zekehas, Zekeise, and Zacheos.
Variations of surnames related to Zecheus include Zacharius, Zachary, Zeke, Zaccheo, Zachos, Zekea, Zecco, and many more.
Surnames similar to Zecheus include Sachetti, Sachse, Saccucci, and Zucchi.
The surname Zecheus is also linked with various ethnicities. It is particularly prevalent in the Jewish community, as well as among people of Irish descent. It is very rare among people of German, Polish, Czech, and Slovak descent.
As the surname Zecheus or its variants can stem from a variety of cultures, individuals are encouraged to investigate their family history and the possible origins of the surname. This can be done through a combination of family documents, genealogical databases, old census records, and other records. It is also possible to perform DNA testing to trace the lineage of the surname Zecheus and its variants.
Overall, the surname Zecheus is an ancient one, with many spellings and variations worldwide. It is of Hebrew origin, is commonly found in the United States and Canada, and has connections with various ethnicities.
Famous people with the name Zecheus
- Zacchaeus the Tax Collector: Zacchaeus, the New Testament figure who was a tax collector, is the most famous person with the last name Zecheus. He is best known for an episode in which Jesus encounters him while on his way to Jericho.
- Zechariah ben Jehoiada: Zechariah ben Jehoiada was a Jewish priest living in the eighth century BCE. He is best known as one of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Bible. In the biblical narrative, he is primarily known for appealing to King Joash to keep the Lord's Temple in Jerusalem an acceptable place for the Lord's worship.
- Antipater of Tarsus: Antipater of Tarsus was a first century CE Stoic philosopher and mathematical teacher, who was born in Tarsus. He is known for his associations with Stoic thought and his close friendship with Epictetus.
- Joseph ben Zechariah: Joseph ben Zechariah was a Jewish philosopher and theologian who lived during the first century CE. He is best known for his contributions to Jewish midrashic literature and his teachings on the importance of repentance as a cornerstone of religious faith.
- Zechariah of Gedera: Zechariah of Gedera was a Jewish sage who lived in the Talmudic period. He is best known for a dispute he had with Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus over the interpretation of a verse in the Bible.
- Zechariah ben Kabed: Zechariah ben Kabed was a Jewish Talmudic scholar and mystic who lived during the fifth century. He is best known for his commentaries on the Talmud, as well as his works on Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah.