Surname Zengerlein - Meaning and Origin
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Zengerlein: What does the surname Zengerlein mean?
The last name Zengerlein is a German surname which originated in the Bavarian region of Germany. The name is derived from the Old High German word “zengen”, meaning “craftswoman”. This indicates that the original bearers of the name likely worked as artisans or craftsmen. It is thought that the first members of this family were found in the city of Nuremberg in 1555, though there is also a possibility that this surname can be traced back to the 14th century in the Franconian region.
Throughout the centuries, the Zengerlein family has remained in Bavaria. However, many have also emigrated to other parts of Germany, as well as America and Australia. Those who have kept the family name in the Bavarian region still tend to be involved in craftsmanship and traditional trades, such as carpentry or metalwork.
Today, there are many Zengerleins living all over the world. The family name still carries the connotations of craftsmanship and artisanal skills, providing a connection to the original bearers of this surname. It also reflects the long-held tradition of craftsmanship and manual labor in Germany, which has been passed through generations for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisZengerlein: Where does the name Zengerlein come from?
The last name Zengerlein is likely of German origin and is most commonly found in European countries, like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, today. However, there are still some individuals with the last name living in other parts of the world.
The surname Zengerlein was likely derived from the Middle High German word “senger”, meaning “swaddler”, indicating an occupation of someone who wraps clothes or materials. The suffix “lein” was added after this root word to indicate the diminutive form. This means that the original bearer of the name may have been a worker in the cloth-making profession.
The surname Zengerlein is much less common in the United States and Canada than it is in Europe, but still is found in significant numbers in both countries. In the United States, the geographic region with the highest concentration of people with the last name is in Southern California. In Canada, the last name can most commonly be found in the Ontario Province.
The last name Zengerlein is also present in Australasia. There, it is most frequently found in the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Overall, the most common place to find individuals with the last name Zengerlein is in Europe. Other parts of the world with significant populations of people with the last name are the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Zengerlein
The surname Zengerlein (also spelled Zangerlein, Zeengerlein, and Zengerly) is a German name and can have a variety of origins.
It originated as a patronymic—a surname derived from the father’s name—in the east Prussian provinces, with the name Zimmerman, from the Middle High German zimbalman, meaning “carpenter.”
The variant Zeengerlein likely originated from a Friesian patronymic Zenger, which is derived from the Middle Low German zingen, meaning “to sing.”
The version with the letter ‘y’, Zengerly, may have originated in Austria, where the dialectical form of the name was common in the 18th century.
The name Zengerlein may also be derived from a variety of other sources, such as the Old German word zingan, meaning “to sin,” or the Middle High German zenckel, meaning “small piece of metal.”
Alternate surnames of the same origin include Zingelmann, Zinggmann, and Zency.
No matter how it’s spelled or pronounced, a common German coat of arms for the Zengerlein family is depicted as a stork on a golden shield. The motto reads “follow thine own right” – a reminder to think for oneself.
Today, the surname Zengerlein is still common throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in some parts of the U.S. and Canada.
Famous people with the name Zengerlein
- Nate Zengerlein: American basketball coach and former collegiate player.
- Ed Zengerlein: American former amateur radio operator and home painter.
- Anna Zengerlein: German film producer, director, writer and actress.
- Nikolai Zengerlein: German biochemist and professor emeritus of the Institute of Cell and Immunobiology at the University of Würzburg.
- Makayla Zengerlein: American fashion designer, photographer and model.
- Matthew Zengerlein: American former stuntman and extreme sportsman.
- Charles Zengerlein: American physician, professor and author.
- Mike Zengerlein: American former professional ice hockey player.
- Tim Zengerlein: German Olympic figure skater.
- Otto Zengerlein: Bavarian politician, mayor of Augsburg and member of the Bavarian State Parliament.