Surname Ziehr - Meaning and Origin
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Ziehr: What does the surname Ziehr mean?
The last name Ziehr is a Germanic surname derived from the personal name Zeur or Zior. Although the precise origin of the name is unclear, some believe that it is a contracted form of the Germanic name ZeURICH, meaning “brightened one.” It is also possible that the name originated from Zieheren, a name derived from a German influence meaning “to draw.”
The earliest documented history of the name is found in Germany by the Zeur/Zior/Ziehr family of Erfurt in the 13th century. The Ziehr family became prominent members of the clerical, military, and judicial family in Erfurt and in numerous other cities in Germany throughout the centuries.
The name could also be a variant of the name Seurer, which is the German form of the Old French word seur, meaning “watchful.”
Today, the Ziehr family can be found across Europe, particularly in Germany, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Those bearing the name are usually of German, French, or Dutch descent.
In the United States, the Ziehr family presented itself as early as the 1700s when Johann Zacharias “John” Ziehr, a German immigrant, settled in Pennsylvania. His descendants have since spread throughout the United States, with most Ziehrs residing in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Order DNA origin analysisZiehr: Where does the name Ziehr come from?
The last name Ziehr is most commonly found in Germany today. The name originated in the historic East Prussian region, and was an occupational name deriving from the German word ‘ziehen’ for to pull. During the Middle Ages, the Ziehr family worked in the forestry and agricultural industries, as well as with horses, providing goods and services to the local community.
Over the centuries, various branches of the Ziehr family spread across Germany, eventually extending as far as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Today, the highest concentration of Ziehr families can be found in the German states of Bavaria, Abersee, and Berlin. Despite its centuries of history, however, the Ziehr name remains relatively uncommon outside of these parts of Germany.
Nevertheless, the name Ziehr has been given to children born in modern times, and the name is known to the wider global community thanks to the internet and the great reach of social media. Thanks to the many members of the Ziehr family who are contributing to society today, the last name is likely to endure for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname Ziehr
Ziehr is a surname of German origin derived from the first name Siegfried. The derivatives of this surname come from either the noun ziehr meaning “wave” or the Middle High German name ziher meaning “peace, protection.”
The most common variants of Ziehr include Zier, Zieher, Ziers, Ziher, and Zihr. However, rare variants of this name include Sehr, Sieher, and Sier.
In Germany, one of the primary spellings most associated with this surname is Zier. This spelling contains the German compound -er, meaning “one who possesses”, to form a masculine name.
In other countries, the spelling variants can become either Ziher or Ziehr with the same meaning. Alternative spellings may include Zeyer or Zeier.
Rare surnames with the same origin as Ziehr include Sehr, Sieher, and Sier. Additionally, common surnames with a similar meaning, such as Pehr, Peer, and Pier, may take on alternative spellings and become Ziehr.
Overall, the surname Ziehr can take on numerous spellings and derivatives of this name. All of these variants and surnames have the same origin but contribute to leading a family’s legacy through generations of people.
Famous people with the name Ziehr
- Lani Ziehr: Canadian violinist, who has been a featured soloist on over 14 award-winning albums.
- Moe Ziehr: American professional wrestler best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
- Brooks Ziehr: Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning producer, mixing engineer, and music director.
- Steve Ziehr: Former All-American college football player for Arizona State University and the Cleveland Browns.
- Marike Ziehr: German businesswoman who rose to fame as the CEO of fashion house Hugo Boss.
- Brian Ziehr: American cinematographer best known for his work in television on shows such as Magnum P.I., Numb3rs, and Star Trek: Voyager.
- Barbara Ziehr: German sprinter who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
- Muktar Ziehr: Somali psychiatrist and author based in Stockholm.
- R.D. Ziehr: American award-winning visual effects supervisor, creating VFX for films such as The Matrix, Contact, and Daredevil.
- Martine Ziehr: Dutch sculptor best known for her glass artwork.