Surname Zemath - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Z'
Zemath: What does the surname Zemath mean?
The last name Zemath is a Sephardic Jewish name originating from the former Ottoman Empire. Its roots can be traced back to the time of the Jewish expulsion from Spain in the late 15th century. The name itself translates to “olive press”. This indicates the likely occupation of the Zemath family’s ancestors as farmers of olive trees and laborers in the olive press.
Given the Sephardic Jewish cultural background of the Zemath family, the name likely has religious ties as well. In Jewish tradition, olives are one of seven species of produce that were specified for agricultural growth in the Land of Israel. Additionally, the olive is a symbol of wisdom and long life. For this reason, the Jewish people have come to associate the olive with peace and faithfulness.
The surname Zemath is still carried on by families of Sephardic Jewish descent today. Its presence is especially prominent in modern-day Turkey, where it is one of the most widely used Sephardic last names. The name today is a source of cultural and historic pride for the Zemath family and serves as a reminder of its ancestral connection to the Mediterranean region.
Order DNA origin analysisZemath: Where does the name Zemath come from?
The last name Zemath is most commonly found in North America, specifically in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the largest population center is in New Jersey, where there is a sizable concentration of this last name. However, there are also smaller pockets of the last name Zemath in the eastern portions of Pennsylvania and New York.
In Canada, the last name Zemath is seen in several provinces, including Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. It is most common in Ontario, where there is a sizable population of this last name. It is likely many of these Zemaths are descendants of immigrants who first settled in this area from Europe in the late 1800's.
Although there are now many Zemaths living in North America, it is believed that the origin of this last name traces back to Europe, where it is most commonly found in the Czech Republic and Germany. In Czech, the Zemath surname can trace its roots back to a Czech word for rye bread. Furthermore, in Germany, this surname likely developed from the translation of “Zeh” meaning “To Sow.”
Overall, the last name Zemath is most common in North America, but also has roots in Europe. Many descendants likely stem from European immigrants who settled in the New World in the late 1800's.
Variations of the surname Zemath
The surname Zemath has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are the spellings of Zeemat, Zimat, Zimath, Samaath, Semat, Simat and Symath. Other spelling variations include Zaemath, Zamaath, Zamath, Zemah, Zemat, Zemath, Zemeth, Zimet and Zymat.
The surnames Zemath and Zeemat may have come from the same ancestor, as both are derived from the Arabic word ‘simaat’ which roughly translates into ‘marks’. This word has several meanings in the Middle East, such as characters, markings and statutes. It also means signs or symbols in Persian, where the Zemath surname may have originated.
Samaath is derived from the Arabic word ‘simath’, which means a doorkeeper. Those who had this surname during the Middle Ages would have had the job of guarding doorways, entrances or a royal harem.
Zimat is the variant of Zemath meaning ‘a sign, emblem, ornament or decoration’. It is usually used as a secondary name meaning something similar to ‘a spark of beauty’.
The surname Simat is an alternate form of the word ‘simat’, which means ‘a castle’. The precise origins of this name are unknown, but some suggest it could have originated from someone who owned a large castle in Persia or the Middle East.
The surname Symath is another form of the word ‘simath’, which means a ‘man of the castle’. This surname is likely to have originated from people whom guard a castle or provided services/supplies to castles.
Overall, the surname Zemath is an old one, and its many variant spellings and surnames all have their own unique meanings and origins.
Famous people with the name Zemath
- Nando Zemath, a professional athlete from Bolivia
- Rafa Zemath, a Spanish singer
- Prim Zemath, a Thai model and singer
- Augustín Zemath, an Argentinian professor of physics
- Hajulay Zemath, a Congolese public official
- Tommy Zemath, an American actor
- Luke Zemath, an Australian comedian
- Neil Zemath, a British novelist
- Kim Zemath, a Dutch Youtube star
- Doris Zemath, an Italian fashion designer