Surname Ziegenfuss - Meaning and Origin
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Ziegenfuss: What does the surname Ziegenfuss mean?
The last name Ziegenfuss is a German-American name, derived from the German word "Ziegenfuss", which literally translates to "goat foot". This surname was likely given to an ancestor of the Ziegenfuss family that had a characteristic or trait that may have resembled a goat's foot. It could have been an occupational name given to someone who worked with goats or someone whose foot had a certain shape or size.
The Ziegenfuss family migrated to North America during the late eighteenth century, along with many other families of German origin. Over the years, the spelling of the last name has changed slightly to the modern version, Ziegenfuss. It is likely that the family wanted to make the spelling easier to read and pronounce in English, which is why the spelling changed.
Today, the Ziegenfuss family is scattered across America and many other countries, as well. Many have adopted the Ziegenfuss surname and are proud of their German heritage and tradition. The Ziegenfuss name has become a symbol of strength, hard work, and perseverance for generations of this family.
Order DNA origin analysisZiegenfuss: Where does the name Ziegenfuss come from?
The last name Ziegenfuss is most commonly found in the United States and Germany. It has German origins, derived from an old German word for "goat." This is reflected in both the English and German versions of the name, with the spelling being Ziegenfuss in Germany and Zeigler in the US.
In the United States, the last name Ziegenfuss is most commonly found in southeastern states. It is particularly common in Pennsylvania, where it mainly originates from the 18th century German immigrants who settled in the state. In Alabama, a large concentration of Zeiglers can be found in and around Clarke County, which was part of the old German settlement area in the state. There is also a high concentration of Zeiglers in Tennessee and Georgia, likely from 18th century immigrants who came down the Great Valley Route or the Carolina Road to settle in those states.
In Germany, Ziegenfuss is still a common last name in the region that the original immigrants came from, their ancestral homelands in the Rhineland Palatinate. It is also a relatively common last name in the neighboring regions of Saarland and Hesse, as well as in the state of Bavaria.
Overall, the last name Ziegenfuss is most commonly found in the southeastern United States, Pennsylvania, and parts of Germany. Its origins in Germany remain clear, and its presence is still seen in both countries today.
Variations of the surname Ziegenfuss
The surname Ziegenfuss is a German surname of locational origin which refers to someone from the village of Ziegenfuss near Frankfurt on the Oder River. Other variants of the surname which refer to the same origin include Ziegenfues, Ziegenfus, Ziegenfeuss, Ziegenfuess, Ziegenfusser, Ziegenfueser, and Ziegenfusser.
Variations of the spelling can also occur when the surname is passed down through generations. Such spellings can include Ziegenfuss, Zigenfuss, Zigenfuß, Zieginfuss, Zieginfues, Zieginfus, Zieginfuess, Zieginfusser, Ziegenfueser, and Ziegefuss.
Families with this surname may have also changed the spelling of their name upon emigrating to other countries; for example, in the United States, the surname may have been changed to Zigenfuss or Zigenfuss.
It is believed that the name is derived from the Middle High German phrase Ziegenfuss or 'goat's foot'. The phrase refers to an animal figure that was used to denote the location or area of the village of Ziegenfuss on ancient maps.
Surnames which have the same origin as Ziegenfuss can be found mainly around Germany and other countries in central Europe. This includes Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
Famous people with the name Ziegenfuss
- Amber Ziegenfuss: Actress and artist known for her work on the films Loose Screws and Playing the Part.
- Gary Ziegenfuss: A former volleyball player and coach who was inducted into ESU Hall of Fame in 2011 for his years of service.
- Hannibal Ziegenfuss: A German adventurer who wrote a book about his travels through the French and German Alps in the early 1800s.
- Henry Ziegenfuss: A 19th-century American actor who performed on the stage and appeared in various silent films.
- Isaac Ziegenfuss: A lawyer who served as a Veteran's Law Judge for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- John Ziegenfuss: A former Pennsylvania state Senator who is a decorated Vietnam War veteran.
- Maria Ziegenfuss: A German-born botanist who lived in the US and wrote extensively on North American grasses.
- Matthias Ziegenfuss: A Swiss painter who traveled to different countries in Europe and produced many landscapes and portraits.
- Peter Ziegenfuss: A member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019.
- Seth Ziegenfuss: A trumpet player and bandleader whose jazz band has performed at the nation's top jazz clubs.