Surname Zimzick - Meaning and Origin

Zimzick: What does the surname Zimzick mean?

The German surname Zimzick is an occupational name referring to someone who performed the job of a Zimmeter, which was a quality controller of textiles. This occupation derived from the Old German word 'zechsimeter' meaning 'cloth measurer'. At the time of feudalism, it was important to ensure that the quality of linen and other materials used to make clothing was of good quality before it was sold so the Zimmeter was hired to check the fabric before it was used for clothing.

The surname Zimzick likely originated in the early 1800s when surnames began to be adopted as a way of distinguishing family members from the general population. The occupational distinction when spelled as Zimzick became a surname and over time the spelling may have changed with spelling variations of the name including Zimnick and Zimnik.

The name itself is derived from the Old German word 'zint' referring to a corner or angle, and 'zicki' which translates to 'small'. This denotes someone of small stature who worked in dealing with the angles and corners of cloth measurements. This diminutive meaning of the name Zimzick can also refer to someone with a pleasant attribute or disposition.

Today, the Zimzick name can be found around the world as a result of immigration and emigration of families and over the years, individuals with this surname have achieved success in a variety of professions.

Zimzick: Where does the name Zimzick come from?

The last name Zimzick is most common in the United States. According to the Census Bureau, the surname is most prevalent in Pennsylvania, where there are about 1,400 people bearing the name. Other states with significantly large numbers of Zimzicks include New York, Michigan, California, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

More than half of the people with this name live in urban areas, but there are also many who reside in rural locations. The Zimzick surname has become most firmly associated with Jewish-American families in recent years, though it is believed that the name has roots in both Jewish and German ancestry.

In addition to the United States, Zimzick is found in Canada, Australia, Israel, and the United Kingdom, usually among descendants of immigrants who once fled the Holocaust.

In the United States, the most common Zimzick families tend to live in the northeast region, though the surname is beginning to spread south. As with many surnames, the frequency of the name varies greatly from state to state. For example, there are over 1,400 Zimzicks living in Pennsylvania, while in South Carolina there are only 22 people with the last name.

Overall, the surname Zimzick is becoming increasingly more common in America and other countries around the world as more people with the name immigrate from other countries or as descendents of immigrants merge into the global population.

Variations of the surname Zimzick

The surname Zimzick has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Zimzick, although it is also spelled as Zimcic, Zimzik, Zimzic, Zimzicke, and Zimzicki. All of these spelling variations are derived from Germanic and East European roots, and ultimately Latin origins.

Other surnames with the same origin include Zimka, Zimke, Zimko, Zimkowski, Zimkovitch, Zimkovich, Zimnagell, Zimniak, Zimny, Zimpel, Zimpfer, Zimprich, and Zimpser.

The name Zimzick is most likely derived from a Proto-Germanic word meaning “brave,” or from the Latin word “zimulāre,” which also means “to be brave.” It is also possible that the name evolved from a place or a personal name.

The surname Zimzick is common among the Ashkenazi Jewish population in both Eastern Europe and the United States. This surname is also found in a few other countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and Russia.

Many of the Zimzick spelling variations are also found in small numbers in Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales. For example, Zimzicke is a common surname in the United Kingdom, especially in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

In the United States, Zimzick is especially popular in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and is also found in small numbers in other states, including New York, Connecticut, Virginia, and Ohio.

Famous people with the name Zimzick

• Larry Zimzick: former hockey player in the American Hockey League who played in two games for the California Golden Seals in 1971.
• Erika Zimzick: contemporary avant-garde visual artist, originally from the United States.
• Gary Zimzick: notable American jazz pianist and composer, whose best-known pieces “Heart of the Forest” and “Garden of Eden” were produced in collaboration with fellow jazz greats like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.
• Ann-Marie Zimzick: former senior vice president and chief strategy and marketing officer at the global software company, SAP SE.
• Brandi Zimzick: renowned field hockey player in the United States, representing the US in the 2013 and 2014 Summer Universiades.
• Jimmy Zimzick: musician and songwriter who gained recognition in New Zealand in the 1990s with his work in a variety of punk and ska bands.
• Benjamin Zimzick: former academic and chair of the department of German at Wartburg College in Iowa.
• Craig Zimzick: celebrated American-Australian architect and principal at Zimzick & Associates.
• William “Bill” Zimzick: veteran from the Vietnam War, earning three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
• Herman Zimzick: renowned businessman who is most remembered for the founding and popularization of the food chain Zimzick Deli in New York City.

Other surnames

Zimzik