Surname Zerkiebel - Meaning and Origin
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Zerkiebel: What does the surname Zerkiebel mean?
The last name Zerkiebel is believed to be of German origin, though its exact meaning is uncertain. The most common view is that the name is derived from the German verb ‘zerkeiben’, meaning ‘to pick or pluck out’, suggesting that it was originally a job or trade name.
In some cases, the name may also be related to the Old High German ‘cerkvibeil’, meaning church builder, suggesting that the original bearers of the name were skilled craftsmen who worked on the construction of churches.
Another possibility is that Zerkiebel is actually an anglicized version of the German name Zarchibald, which itself could be derived from the given name Zarich + bald, referring to a brave ruler.
Various spellings of the name have been recorded, including Zerkvable, Zercevoble, Zerkebile and Zarcible which suggest that it has its roots in various German regions and time periods.
All in all, the meaning of the last name Zerkiebel is uncertain and may have multiple possible origins, though it almost certainly has roots in German lands and language.
Order DNA origin analysisZerkiebel: Where does the name Zerkiebel come from?
The last name Zerkiebel is believed to be of German origin, suggesting the family originated and/or is most common today in parts of Europe where German heritage is still prominent. Records of this surname date back to at least the 13th century, and the most detailed record of the name was found in a document in the 14th century in what is now Baden-Württemberg, located in southwestern Germany. It is likely the name is still most commonly found in Germany today, although migration from the area has also brought Zerkiebel to other parts of the world.
Zerkiebel families have been found in countries as diverse as Canada, Australia, the United States, and France, with significant populations reported in other areas of Central and Northern Europe. The number of individuals carrying the last name is low, and it is not a common name; however, a search of online public records reveals that the name is still in existence, although the numbers are low in comparison to other surnames.
Despite its low prevalence, the name Zerkiebel still holds a special place in the minds of those who perpetuate it. The story of its beginnings gives a sense of connection to the past, and its rarity in the present provides families carrying the name with a unique sense of solidarity -as well as a sense of pride to those who remember its earliest days.
Variations of the surname Zerkiebel
The surname Zerkiebel is likely German in origin, and may have derived from Zerkel or Zerkeley, two surnames that also likely have origins in Germany. spelling variants of the surname Zerkiebel include Zerkleibel, Zerkleible, Zerkel, Zerkeley, Zirkeibel, and Zirkeible. Other surnames that likely have similar origin as Zerkiebel include Zerjal, Zerjav, Zerkel, Zerlein, Zerlin, Zerlinski, Zielinski, and Zierlein.
Many of the surnames with similar origin to Zerkiebel can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where they first likely appeared in lands formerly old of the German Empire. As time passed, the name spread to other regions of Europe, and eventually to the United States.
The first known migrant bearing the Zerkiebel surname is likely Hermann Zerkiebel, likely from Brandenburg in Germany. He settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1783 and received a land grant from the newly formed United States government. An analysis of records show that the surname has seen a gradual increase in popularity throughout the United States in the last two centuries.
Today, the most commonly found variant spellings and surnames of Zerkiebel have origins in the United States, although some smaller pockets of families bearing the name are located throughout other parts of Europe. Smaller pockets of this surname have also been located in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Zerkiebel
- Anastasia Zerkiebel: A German fashion model who has appeared in various Russian and European modeling campaigns.
- Hans-Dietrich Zerkiebel: A German combat engineer and a General of the Infantry during World War II, best known for leading the failed attempt to rescue Benito Mussolini from Italy in September 1943.
- Friedrich Zerkiebel: A German soldier who served as a soldier in Imperial German Army from 1910-1918.
- Richard Zerkiebel: A twentieth Century German landscape painter who worked with oil and watercolor media.
- Ulrich Zerkiebel: A member of the German SS during World War II, convicted by a West German court for his involvement in war crimes.
- Franz Zerkiebel: A German musician and composer active in the 1950s to 1970s.
- Peter Zerkiebel: A portrait and miniature painter whose works are known for their strong realism.
- Conrad Zerkiebel: A German film director, screenwriter and musician active in the 1990s.
- Günter Zerkiebel: A German cinematographer best known for his work on the classic war movie, Das Boot.
- Thomas Zerkiebel: A German artist and writer active in the contemporary art scene.