Surname Zillmer - Meaning and Origin
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Zillmer: What does the surname Zillmer mean?
The last name Zillmer is believed to be of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German phrase "zilmer," which means "timekeeper." This likely refers to someone who kept track of time in ancient Germany.
The Zillmers are believed to come from the same family as the Ziller family, which has its roots back in 1300s in Bavaria, Germany. Both family names share a common origin from a long line of noble ancestry belonging to the Holy Roman Empire.
The Zillmer family is very old and can be traced back to the early 9th century. The Zillmers are known for their skill in engineering and craftsmanship, as well as for their military prowess. In particular, they are known to have served as noble warriors in the Middle Ages and are associated with several of the German monarchies.
In modern times, the Zillmers have spread across the globe, settling in Europe, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand. They are a strong and hardworking family that still values their German ancestry and heritage. The Zillmers are an important part of the global community and bring their unique and valuable skills to the table. They are a proud family and are known for their industriousness, commitment to work, and overall positive contribution to our world.
Order DNA origin analysisZillmer: Where does the name Zillmer come from?
The last name Zillmer is found mainly in Germany, where it is believed to have originated. It is particularly common in the northern German states of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and in the southern German state of Baden-Württemburg. It also has a large presence in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Within Germany, there are still many places which bear the name Zillmer. For example, there is an estate called Zillmerfriedhof in Brandenburg, and a place known as Zillmersee in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The name Zillmer is also found in some rural villages and towns, particularly in Baden-Württemberg, where there is a region called Zillertal and a village known as Zillmerhöfe.
Outside of Germany, the name Zillmer can be found in other countries where German immigrants have settled. This includes the United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, France, and South Africa. It is especially present in the United States, where around 5,000 people with the last name Zillmer were recorded during the last census.
Altogether, it is estimated that there are currently around 25,000 individuals in the world with the last name Zillmer, most of whom are German.
Variations of the surname Zillmer
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Zillmer are Zillmeier, Zilmar, Zillamire, Zillmare, Zilmer, Zillmar, Zillmayer, Zillmera, Zilmerer, Zillmero, Zylmar, Zylmer, Zilamer, Zilmair, Zillmaier, Ziller, Zeilmer, Zilmra, Zilmaro, Zilmaer, and Zilmaru.
Originally, the surname was derived from a Germanic given name Zilmar, which is thought to come from the Slavic language. It was likely derived from the Slavic words 'zil' or 'zill' which mean 'broom' or 'whip', and 'mar', which means 'great'. Together, the words form a literal meaning of 'great whisker'. Over time, the name evolved and spread across Europe.
The surnames Zillmer, Zillmeier, Zilmar, and Zillamire have a consistent spelling throughout Europe, especially in Germany and Austria. As the surname spread, many alternate spellings arose, such as the Americanized Zilmer, Ziller, Zylmar, and Zylmer. Other variants, such as Zilmra, Zilmaro, Zilmaer, and Zilmaru, have been seen in central Europe and in Scandinavian countries.
The overlapping spelling variations of Zillmer make it difficult to differentiate between origins. Ultimately, all of these surnames have the same origin and are related to the original Germanic given name. As the surname spread, it adopted religious, regional, and cultural aspects that make it unique.
Famous people with the name Zillmer
- David Zillmer: Editor-in-chief of a manufacturing literary magazine and president of a software engineering firm.
- Mike Zillmer: Professional golfer and owner of Purple Plains Golf Club.
- Bruce Zillmer: A German-American theater actor and pianist.
- BJ Zillmer: Former professional snowboarder and actor.
- Walt Zillmer: American racing driver who was the 1952 Indianapolis 500 champion.
- Jim Zillmer: Former Senator of Minnesota and leader of numerous political organizations.
- Jessica Zillmer: American actress, producer, and director of popular TV series and films.
- Pete Zillmer: American sculptor, video artists, and filmmaker.
- Edward Zillmer: Photographer and co-founder of the San Francisco Depression Arts Society.
- Joan Zillmer: American music and film composer.
- Bettina Zillmer: German Actress and television host.
- Robert Zillmer: Austrian composer and music teacher.
- Arthur Zillmer: American writer, traveler, and explorer.
- Barbara Zillmer: German author and travel writer.
- Bonnie Zillmer: American botanist and illustrator.