Surname Ziegler - Meaning and Origin
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Ziegler: What does the surname Ziegler mean?
The last name Ziegler is a German and Swiss surname that originates from the Middle High German word "ziger" and has several meanings. In Germany, the name was generally given to those who lived in or hailed from one of the many Ziegler settlements scattered throughout the country. In Switzerland, the surname typically referred to a maker of brimstone, sulfur, or tar, likely a reference to the practice of mining the former two materials near the Alps.
The surname is also associated with the Jewish religion, as the name was adopted by German and Alsatian Jews during the displacement of Jewish populations in the 1600s and throughout the 19th century. In fact, many Ashkenazi Jews still hold the name today.
It is also believed that the name was used to describe those who lived in a settlement located near a mountain or peak, likely referring to the many Ziegler settlements that were located near the Alps. Other theories. suggest that the word may have derived from the Latin word "cygne," meaning swan.
In any case, the last name Ziegler is one of distinction and legacy, bearing a variety of meanings and connections to different regions, religious backgrounds, and backgrounds of industry and labor.
Order DNA origin analysisZiegler: Where does the name Ziegler come from?
The last name Ziegler is typically found throughout many specific regions of the German-speaking world today. Regions in which the last name is perhaps most common include Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as parts of Alsace, Lorraine, and the Czech Republic.
In Germany, the Ziegler name is most concentrated in the country's southwestern region. While only ranking as the 76th most common name in Germany overall, the last name is particularly popular in Baden-Württemberg, the country's third-most populous state. This state's mountainous terrain has made it an ideal habitat for the Ziegler surname.
The Ziegler surname is also quite common in the nearby regions of Switzerland and Austria, as well as some areas of Alsace, Lorraine, and the Czech Republic. This can be attributed to Germany's history in the area, with Zieglers being part of the Germanic Hohenzollern-family that once held a sizable realm stretching from France to the Baltics.
Outside of central Europe, the Ziegler surname is still quite strongly tied to German heritage, with many living in the United States having ancestral ties to the region. The Ziegler last name today is frequently encountered in south-central and midwestern states such as Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota.
Variations of the surname Ziegler
The surname Ziegler originates as a German occupational name, derived from the Middle High German term "zeigeler", which translates to the English word “tile maker”. The variants of the surname include Zeigler, Seigler, Zeigler, Seigler, Siegler, Sigler, Ziegle, Zigler, Zyger and Cyger. In addition, the surname is sometimes found spelled as Cygler, Ziglar, Zeiglor, Zegler or Cegler.
The earliest recorded use of the surname was in 1144, with the mention of Conrad Zeigeler, from the area of Bavaria. It is believed that the earliest settlers of this name came from the lands that are now Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The surname Ziegler has many variant spellings throughout Germany. In Austria, the surname is spelled as Seigler or Zyger. In Switzerland, it is generally spelled as Sigler or Zigler. In France, the surname is spelled as Siglair or Sigler. In Holland, it is spelled Zyger, and it can also be found as Cyger.
In United States, the surname is usually spelled as Zeigler, Seigler, Zyger or Cegler. However, it is also sometimes found spelled as Ziglar, Zeiglor, or Zegler.
In England, the surname is spelled as Zeigler, Ziegle, or curl. This variant is most likely due to the Norman-French roots that lead to English language.
Regardless of spelling, all of these variations of the Ziegler surname have their roots in the same Middle High German word, “zeigeler”. As a result, they all ultimately refer to the same German occupational origins, but the specific spellings can differ from region to region.
Famous people with the name Ziegler
- Maddie Ziegler: Child actress, dancer and model who starred in Sia’s music video “Chandelier”
- Mackenzie Ziegler: Child singer, actress and dancer who has released a few studio albums
- Richard Ziegler: Technology entrepreneur who is the CEO of Modulus Data Systems, a provider of software solutions for defense contractors
- Mark Ziegler: Former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Anaheim Angels and San Diego Padres
- Matthew Ziegler: Contemporary landscape and abstract painter
- C. Grace Ziegler: American feminist writer, suffragette, and women’s rights advocate
- Michael Ziegler: German handball player who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Steve Ziegler: Professional golfer who has played on many professional golf tours
- Charles Allen Ziegler: Experimental physicist who was a professor at the California Institute of Technology
- Friedrich Ziegler: German chemist who discovered essential oils from plant sources such as lavender and rosemary