Surname Zellmayer - Meaning and Origin
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Zellmayer: What does the surname Zellmayer mean?
Zellmayer is a surname of German origin, which is thought to come from the Old German word 'Selmair'. This was a descriptive nickname for a farmer, essentially meaning 'village mayor'. As a result, the surname is thought to have originally referred to a man who held a significant leadership position within a local community.
The Zellmayer surname is associated with the Zeller Bavarian noble family, which is considered to be one of the oldest and most established noble lines in Germany. The Zeller family was active in social, political, and economic spheres during the Middle Ages, and was highly influential until the 1800s.
Today, the Zellmayer surname is spread all over the world, with people bearing the name living in many countries, especially Those in Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. The events of world War II may have contributed to this dispersion of the family name, as many members had to leave Germany due to the conflict.
In conclusion, Zellmayer is an old German surname which is derived from the word 'Selmair' and means 'village mayor'. It has come to be associated with the Zeller Bavarian noble family, and is now spread all over the world, most likely as a result of the dispersion of the family during the war.
Order DNA origin analysisZellmayer: Where does the name Zellmayer come from?
The last name Zellmayer is mainly found today mainly in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is thought to stem from the Old High German name Zellmo, from “selmo” meaning history or tradition.
In Germany, the surname Zellmayer is relatively common and can be found mainly in Northern and Eastern parts such as the states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin. In 2006, there were 2,570 people with this last name living in Germany.
In Austria, the last name is much rarer with only 28 people with the last name Zellmayer registered in 2006. The highest concentration is thought to be in Lower Austria and Vienna.
In Switzerland, the last name Zellmayer is very uncommon. In 2007, there were only 11 people registered as having the surname Zellmayer.
In the United States, the last name Zellmayer is more common and can be found in states such as New York, California and Texas. In 2000, there were 219 people registered as having the name in the United States.
The last name Zellmayer can also be found in Australia, with 36 people with acting with that surname in 2006.
Overall, the last name Zellmayer is mainly found in German-speaking countries, with more smaller concentrations around the world.
Variations of the surname Zellmayer
The surname Zellmayer has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Zelemer, Zelman, Zelmair, Zelmayr, Zelmaer, Zelman, and Zellmeier. It is believed that the surname can be traced back to a Middle High German personal name, “Zelman”, which derived from a Latin term for “servant”.
The Czech and Slovak dialectical version of the name is Zelenáč, derived from the old Czech words “zeleny” meaning “green” and “ač” meaning “little one”. This suggests the nickname of someone who was characterized by green eyes or dark hair.
The Dutch version of the surname is Zellmeijer and is believed to have originated from a Low German personal name that included the element “mar” meaning "famous" or "renowned". In the old German language, this name was most likely translated to “Zelemære”.
The Polish version of the name is Zieleniec which is derived from a territorial name Zieloniec or the Polish words Zielony and Niec which mean “green” and “place” respectively.
The Yiddish spelling of the name is Zellmayer and derives from the middle German term “Selmair”, which likely refers to the personal name “Selmar”, a derivative of the German word “selig” meaning “blessed”.
In sum, the surname Zellmayer has various spellings, variants, and surnames that stem from different languages and regions, with each one providing evidence of a distinct historical origin.
Famous people with the name Zellmayer
- Michael Zellmayer: German actor, known for roles such as Superman Returns and Troy.
- Michelle Zellmayer: American actress, known for roles in movies such as Man of Steel and Justice League.
- Luise Zellmayer: German singer who performs popular songs in the Traditional style.
- Max Zellmayer: Austrian alpine skier, competed at the Sochi Olympics and World Cup.
- Christian Zellmayer: German composer who wrote for the hit Rock Band series of video games.
- Ruben Zellmayer: Author of psychological thrillers, focuses on the effects of human experiences on the mind.
- Eva Zellmayer: German visual artist, has exhibited internationally and is known for her abstract sculptures.
- Alexa Zellmayer: Professional model, has appeared in a variety of editorial and commercial campaigns.
- Jonathan Zellmayer: Swedish professional snowboarder who has represented his country at winterlympics.
- Anna Zellmayer: Publicist and spokesperson for luxury brands, also a vocal advocate for women's rights.