Surname Zellmeier - Meaning and Origin
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Zellmeier: What does the surname Zellmeier mean?
The last name Zellmeier means “miller from a cell.” This surname was derived from the German word “zelle,” which refers to a storage room, especially one used by monks and priests to keep food or supplies. During the Middle Ages, individuals who worked as millers in these types of rooms were known as Zellmeiers.
The historical origin of the Zellmeier name derived from the Middle Germanic term “zelmiere,” which was also used to refer to a person who operated in a storage room. Individuals who held this position had the power to regulate business within the designated space and were responsible for watching over the contents.
A Zellmeier was generally allowed to buy in bulk and then re-sell these items at a profit. This type of profession was similar to that of a modern day broker. This term was also used to refer to someone who grinded grains for making flour or other products, or a person who tended to orchards.
The Zellmeier family is believed to have first started in Bavaria in the 12th century when a miller was assigned to the storage room of a local monastery or castle. By the 16th century, Zellmeiers were well established as a respected civic class throughout the region.
The surname is still found today across Germany, the United States and many other countries across the world. The Zellmeiers are said to be a close-knit family, treasuring their German heritage and a dedication to hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisZellmeier: Where does the name Zellmeier come from?
The last name Zellmeier has many roots, including German, Swiss, and Dutch. It is likely derived from the German word for “cell” or “cellar”. Today, the surname is common in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and other parts of Central and Western Europe. It is also found in some parts of the United States, particularly in states with high populations of German-American descendants.
In Germany, the last name is among the top 500 surnames and is far more common in the northern and eastern states. In the Netherlands, Zellmeier is an uncommon surname, but still respected. In Switzerland, the surname is in the top 200.
In the United States, the surname is more commonly found in states with large German-American populations. These states include Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Zellmeier is also common in states with a large Dutch population, such as Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. In the United Kingdom, Zellmeier has been recorded since the late 1800s, usually in areas with a Swiss or German population.
In summary, the last name Zellmeier is common in German-speaking countries and in areas with a strong heritage of Germanic or Dutch immigrants in Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Zellmeier
The surname Zellmeier is derived from German and can be found in many different spellings. The surnames Zällmayer, Zällmeyer, Zallmaier, Zallmayer, Zallmeir, Zallmeyer, Zellmaier, Zellmayer, Zellmeir and Zellmeister are all variants of the same surname, Zellmeier. The Zellmeier spelling has an alternate spelling of Zellmair.
The various spellings are derived from certain regions in Germany, with Zällmayer and Zällmeyer being used in the south of Germany and Zallmaier and Zallmayer being more commonly used in the north. The spelling Zellmaier is more specific to the Saxony region of Germany.
Variations in spelling may have arisen due to the Handwriting of record keepers, or become elevated through instances of social class or immigration. One example of this can be seen in the United States, where the variations Zellmeir and Zellmeister were commonly adopted as recent German immigrants settled and adapted to the new country.
The surname Zellmeier is most prominently used in Germany, where it ranks in the top 42,000 surnames. It has also been found in Austria, Switzerland, the United States, and other countries.
Overall, there are a variety of spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Zellmeier. All of these spellings are used throughout various regions of Germany, as well as elsewhere in the world.
Famous people with the name Zellmeier
- John Zellmeier: professional boxer
- Ann Zellmeier: American ornithologist
- Justin Zellmeier: musician, artist, and educator
- Gary Zellmeier: professional seed shop and business strategist
- Dave Zellmeier: former professional American football player
- Ray Zellmeier: American broadcast and film production executive
- Erich Zellmeier: Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri
- Andrew Zellmeier: science fiction and fantasy novelist
- Frank Zellmeier: retired school teacher in Wisconsin
- Anthony Zellmeier: Chief Financial Officer of McAfee, Inc.