Surname Zehender - Meaning and Origin

Zehender: What does the surname Zehender mean?

The last name Zehender is a German surname derived from two distinct elements. “Zeh” is an abbreviation of the German word zehen, which means “ten” and “ender” means “one who.” This creates the literal translation “one who ten”—a reference to someone who is numerically the tenth. In other words, the original bearer of the surname was presumably the tenth in a given family or group.

This type of surname originated in the early Middle Ages when many Germanic tribes began giving their children distinctive last names to identify their families. Since there were often multiple families of the same name living close together, adding the numerical qualifier helped differentiate between them. Therefore, Zehender can be traced back to a family or group of families who identified themselves as the tenth in that particular region.

The Zehender surname is quite rare and can be found among a handful of individuals in Germany and the United States. In German records, the Zehender surname dates back to the 1500s, and many residents of German descent have since brought the surname to the United States. Today, Zehender is still an uncommon name, but its legacy lives on through its many descendants.

Zehender: Where does the name Zehender come from?

The last name Zehender is most commonly seen today in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States, particularly in states with high populations of German immigrants such as North Dakota. The name is believed to be of German origin, with Zehender translating to “one who hears” or “listener.”

In Germany, the Zehender surname is especially common in cities that have long-standing German communities. For example, in Munich, Bavaria, the name is particularly prominent. It can also be found in other parts of southern Germany, such as the states of Baden-Württemberg and Hesse.

In the United States, the Zehender surname is most commonly found in states with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and Ohio. In fact, according to the US Census Bureau, the name is more common in the United States than in Germany.

In addition to Germany and the United States, Zehender may also be found in countries with significant German-speaking populations, such as Belgium, Denmark, and France. Many Zehenders may have German ancestors who migrated to other countries in pursuit of economic opportunities.

Overall, the name Zehender is most commonly associated with Germany, but can also be found in other countries in Europe and the United States.

Variations of the surname Zehender

The surname Zehender is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of central Europe, and is derived from the German word “zehend” which means “ten”. It is a patronymic name, which means that it is derived from the name of the original bearer's father. The variations and spellings of Zehender include:

Zehendner, Zehender, Zehendtner, Zehnder, Zender, Zehndner, Zehntner, Zehentner, Zehaner, Zehainer, Zehendel, and Zehendeler.

The surnames derived from the original Zehender likely also include Zehn, Zehnter, Zehnmeister, Zehnte, Zehnstein, Zehnhausen, and Zehnberg.

Surnames can also be derived from broad regional systems such as geographical features, an occupation or job, a nickname, or a personal characteristic, which explains why such a wide variety of spellings for the same surname exists.

For example, someone who lived near a lake, river, or stream might be known as someone “von Zehndel”, someone who had an occupation of shepherd may be known as someone “Zehender Schäfer”, while someone with a nickname of “Tiny” might be known as someone “Zehnder Klein”.

Famous people with the name Zehender

• Jim Zehender: A Vietnam War Veteran and current Illinois State Senate candidate from the 66th District.
• Bob Zehender: American former stock car racing driver.
• Rita Zehender: Voice actress and sound designer, who has worked on multiple video game titles.
• Ernie Zehender: Former professional hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL).
• Greg Zehender: Award-winning Singer/Songwriter, Performer, and Producer.
• Paul Zehender: CEO and Senior Managing Partner of John Lynch Agency.
• David Zehender: American former professional basketball player with the Detroit Pistons, New York Nets, and Dallas Chaparrals.
• Marcy Zehender: American Paralympic swimmer and Triathlete who competed at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.
• Malachy Zehender: New York-based music producer, composer, artist, and label owner.
• Vaughn Zehender: Professional mixed martial artist with a record of 3-1.

Other surnames

ZehendmaierZehendner