Surname Zill - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Z'
Zill: What does the surname Zill mean?
The last name Zill is one of German origin, and is derived from the Old German word "zille" which means shade, or protection. This is thought to represent an area or settlement that was situated nearby a forest or other area providing secure shelter from the elements.
The Zill surname can also be traced back to the Middle High German word "zelle" which translates to small area or cell. This could have been used to describe a farmstead or an enclosed dwelling or yard. The name could alternatively derive from the Old High German noun "zillî" meaning a landowner or lord of the manor.
It is believed that the Zill surname originated in southwestern Germany and Bavaria during the medieval period, and spread across Europe as people moved for work or other opportunities. The Zill family name is still found across Germany today as well as other countries such as Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
Today, the Zill surname is primarily associated with German heritage. It is thought that the associated meaning of the name – providing safe protection – may have been passed down through the generations along with the name itself. Thus, Zill is a surname which implies servitude and protection as well as the steadfastness of those who are proud to bear the name.
Order DNA origin analysisZill: Where does the name Zill come from?
The last name Zill is most common in Germany today. This is likely due to its Germanic origins. The name may have derived from the noun "zill," which is an old German word for "shield."
The surname Zill is particularly common in the western regions of Germany. This includes states like Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Wurttemberg. The surname is also quite common in the eastern part of Germany, particularly in Bavaria. For instance, in the 2019 Bundesamt fur Statistik's population data, the last name Zill was one of the top ten most common surnames in Bavaria with more than 10,000 bearers.
The surname is found in other parts of the world as well. This is primarily due to immigration from Germany to other countries. For instance, the surname is fairly common in the United States, particularly in New York. It is also found among Ashkenazi Jews who originated in Germany.
Finally, the last name Zill can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic. These countries have historically had close ties with Germany and it is likely that the name was brought by German immigrants to those regions.
Variations of the surname Zill
The surname Zill is believed to have originated in Germany. The most common variants of this name found in Germany are Zillmann, Zillmer, and Zillner. All of these variants are variations of the surname "Zill" and often appear together in genealogical records, indicating that the variants are likely derived from the same root.
In the United States, the most common variations of "Zill" are Zillow, Zilley, Zillert, and Zillinger. Other spellings include Zill, Zille, Zilll, Zil, and Zillweger. It is also sometimes found spelled as Zillery or Zillick.
In addition to the above variants, the surname "Zill" is sometimes found as a nickname or diminutive form of other surnames, such as Zillier, Ziller, Zilch, Zillner, or Zillestad. The name can also be found with various spelling changes of Zacharias, Ziliz, or Zillert.
Other surname forms of the same root, though not necessarily derived directly from Zill, include Zils, Zillner, Zilman, Zillenberger, Zillig, Zilldorf, and Zillmer. Outside of Germany, additional variants of Zill include Zillah, Zielski, Zielske, Zell, and Zebell.
Famous people with the name Zill
- Paige Zill: Paige Zill is an American professional beach volleyball player and coach. She is a two-time Olympian, and won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
- John Zill: John Zill is an American football defensive tackle who played college football at the University of Maryland. He played in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- David Zill: David Zill was a Romanian historian, educator, and philosopher. Having authored many works related to philosophy and the history of Eastern Europe, Zill is regarded as one of the most influential Romanian historians of the 20th century.
- Erich Zill: Erich Zill was a German physicist and engineer who worked primarily in the fields of electricity and static electricity. He is best remembered for his invention of the induction motor, which facilitated the generation and distribution of electricity.
- Bernd Zill: Bernd Zill was a German mycologist and botanist who specialized in the study of lichens. He authored numerous publications on the subject and described over 200 species of lichens.
- Roy Zill: Roy Zill is an American producer and director. He started his career in Hollywood with work on films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Sin City and went on to direct episodes of various television shows and perform voiceover work.
- Michalis Zill: Michalis Zill is a Greek American entrepreneur and philanthropist, and the founder and chairman of Light and Energy Technologies, an energy consulting firm. He has worked on many projects with a focus on energy conservation and renewable energy, and has been acclaimed for his work in these fields.
- Jan Zill: Jan Zill is an American novelist and screenwriter. His works include the novel Wild America, which is being adapted into a film, and the television series Heartland, which aired for 11 seasons on the Hallmark channel.