Surname Zelmer - Meaning and Origin
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Zelmer: What does the surname Zelmer mean?
The last name Zelmer is a German and Polish surname, originating from the word “selmer,” meaning “beloved.” This name is derived from the Yiddish “selmir,” which means “lover” or “darling.” Historically, Zelmer was a popular surname among the Ashkenazim Jews of Eastern Europe.
In the late 19th century, the name Zelmer had a broader meaning as it was used to refer to the low-wage workers primarily located in East and Central Europe. It was also used to refer to the people of the land, often employed in low-level, domestic positions.
Today, Zelmer is most commonly known as a surname and is carried by people of German and Polish heritage. The name is also common in North America, particularly in the United States.
In many families, the surname Zelmer has taken on a deeper, more meaningful significance, as it stands for “beloved” or “loved one.” Certain members of the family may even give their own individual interpretations of the surname, as a sign of love and appreciation for their ancestors. Thus, the Zelmer name has come to signify a strong family bond among its members.
Order DNA origin analysisZelmer: Where does the name Zelmer come from?
The surname Zelmer is primarily found in Europe, particularly among ethnic Poles. It is most commonly found in Poland, with other notable numbers of individuals bearing the surname Zelmer found in Germany, Lithuania, Austria, the Czech Republic, Belarus, and the United States.
Poland is the most heavily populated country in Europe with Zelmers, with the last name being found especially in the west-central region of the country. These locations include Łódź and other areas in Łódzkie Voivodeship; the Great Poland Voivodeship; and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship.
The second largest concentration of Zelmers is in Germany, with many individuals coming to Germany from Poland during and after World War II. These individuals mainly settled in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of the country.
The Zelmer surname is relatively rare in Lithuania, although there are some individuals in regions such as Kaunas and Vilnius.
In the Czech Republic, Zelmer can be found mainly in the Moravian regions.
In Austria, the Zelmer surname is most common in Vienna, particularly among the ethnic Polish population.
In Belarus, the Zelmer surname is primarily found in the Brest and Grodno regions.
Finally, in the United States, the last name has been gaining in popularity over the past few decades, likely due to the increasing number of immigrants from Eastern Europe. Zelmer is found in all parts of the United States, with particularly high numbers in New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Zelmer
The surname Zelmer has a few variants and spellings that come from the same origin. The most common variants are Zilmer, Zillmer, Zalmer, Zillmar, Zellmer, Zolmer and Zoolmer. These variations can occur due to regional dialects, pronunciation changes, and other factors.
The Zolmer spelling can be found in Germany, where this surname has been around since the 18th century. This variation is likely derived from a combination of the German words zu, zu, and more, meaning “of the mores” or “from the people”.
The Zalmer variation is likely derived from an old Polish given name, Zal from the Hebrew name Shlomo, meaning “peaceful”. In the United States, this surname is most frequently seen in Jewish populations.
The Zillmer spelling is likely derived from the German word zillen, which means “folk” or “people”. This variation can also be found in Austria and Bavaria, Germany.
The Zillmar variation of the name is derived from the Bavarian word zilm, meaning “charm” or “seduction”. This variation can also be seen in Hungary, although it is not as common as the other variants.
The Zellmer variation is less common, but it can be found in the United States, especially among those of German descent. This spelling is derived from the German word Zellen, meaning “cells”.
The Zoolmer variation is most commonly seen in the United States, and is believed to have been derived from the German word zuol, meaning “love” or “affection”.
In summary, the surname Zelmer has many variants and spellings that are derived from the same origin. These variants can be seen in different countries, from Germany to the United States, and each one has a unique meaning and origin.
Famous people with the name Zelmer
- Julia Zelmer: award-winning journalist and television presenter based in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Lennart Zelmer: former Swedish Secretary of State and member of the Stockholm city council.
- Beatrice Zelmerlow: Swedish singer and TV presenter.
- Agnes Branting Zelmer: first female president of the Swedish National Council of Senior Citizens.
- Genevieve Zelmer: American author and speaker.
- Erika Zelmer: Swedish tennis player and two-time winner of the Swedish championship in singles and doubles.
- Adam Zelmer: Canadian musician and recording artist.
- Elias Zelmer: Swedish stand-up comedian.
- Karl-Erik Zelmer: Swedish actor and director.
- Birgitta Zelmer: former Swedish ambassador to the United Nations.