Surname Zillmann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Z'
Zillmann: What does the surname Zillmann mean?
The last name Zillmann originates from Germany and is a habitational name, meaning it is derived from a place of residence. The name is derived from a combination of two parts, 'zil' and 'mann' and translates to 'man of the Zille', with Zille being a reference to the river Zille that runs through what is now the region of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt in Germany.
The Zillmanns were likely of peasant stock, rather than nobility or royalty. It is likely that the first Zillmanns were farmers who lived in the area near the river Zille, with the name originating as an identifier of the family's place of origin.
Over the years, the Zillmann name has spread throughout Europe, with descendants of the original family living across the continent, as well as in many other parts of the world. In the United States, the name wasn't particularly common until after the Second World War, when many German-born Americans changed their last names to Zillmann or incorporated it into their existing last names.
Apart from the origin of the name, there is very little information on the history of the Zillmann family. It is not known what happened to the original Zillmanns, where they settled, or where their descendants live today. All that remains is a mysterious name that hints at a Germanic heritage and an ancestral home near the river Zille.
Order DNA origin analysisZillmann: Where does the name Zillmann come from?
The last name Zillmann is primarily found in Germany and across German-speaking countries. The name is most commonly found in its origin region of Northern Germany where it is still one of the most common last names today. In Germany, the last name Zillmann is especially popular in the states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony, especially in the cities of Pinneberg and Stade.
Furthermore, the last name Zillmann has spread to other parts of the world through immigration. It is a relatively common name in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. It is also found across other European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
The last name Zillmann originated from the Middle German "zilman", which meant "wood cutter". It is believed to have been an occupational surname for woodworkers in the Middle Ages. Over time, the Zillmann surname has spread and become more common in various regions. Today, the last name Zillmann is most commonly found in Germany and its surrounding countries.
Variations of the surname Zillmann
The Zillmann surname has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common spellings are Zilman, Zillman, Zillamann, Zilmann, Zillmann, Zillamond, Zilmand, Zillamon, Zillamant, Zilamaan and Zilamond.
Other variants of the surname include Zilman, Zillmann, Zullmann, Zeillmann, Zilmana and Zilmmann. All of these spellings stem from the original german surname ‘Zilm(e)n’ which is thought to have been derived from the German word "zilm," meaning "scale," or "balance."
The Zillmann family originally originated from the area around Alsace-Lorraine in France, and eventually spread throughout Europe. Over centuries, the spelling of the surname changed as different languages and dialects were spoken in different countries, thus giving rise to many variants and spellings.
The Zillmann family name is also associated with a number of other surnames including Zillmann-Berlin, Zilmanowich, Zilmanovsky, Zilmanstin, Zilmanberg, Zilmershtein, Zillmann-Halpern, Zillmann-Klopper and Zilmanowitz.
In the past, some people adopted different surnames with similar spellings, including Zilliker, Zillmaner and Zilliker.
Finally, some members of the Zillmann family have anglicized their names, going by names like Sillman, Sillerman or Sellman, although these spellings are not necessarily linked to the original surname.
Famous people with the name Zillmann
- Hans-Ulrich Zillmann: German psychologist and professor emeritus at the University of Tuebingen
- Jimmy Zillman: American former professional skateboarder
- Henning Zillmann: German artist, illustrator and sculptor
- Karl Zillmann: German entomologist
- Ina Zillmann: German historian and professor
- Johannes Zillmann: German football player
- Uli Zillmann: German television entertainer
- Ella Zillmann: German actress
- Isabella Zillmann: German film producer
- Rudy Zillmann: American former professional baseball player