Surname Zinckgraf - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Z'
Zinckgraf: What does the surname Zinckgraf mean?
The last name Zinckgraf is an old German surname that is derived from the German words 'Zinke' and 'Graf.' 'Zinke' is a Medieval German word that refers to a ‘prong’ or ‘pointed stick,’ and ‘graf’ reality means ‘count’ or ‘earl.’ So, put together, the name Zinckgraf may have been given to a person who was either a count, or person of nobility, and who also owned prominent land with lots of pointed objects, such as hills, towers, or other features, that would have been visible throughout the area. This combination of words could, therefore, symbolize a family with numerous landholdings and noble ancestry.
The name Zinckgraf is also sometimes found as ‘Zinkgraf’ or ‘Zinggraf.’
The name may also be associated with the root word 'graf', meaning 'claw', and hence may refer to a person who has a strong grip on their land or possessions.
The name Zinckgraf is likely quite old, and may have been in use for a few centuries, particularly in some of the smaller towns, villages, and noble houses of Germany. It is still a moderately common name in Germany today. The name appears to be less common in other countries, however, so it may be a ‘Gemütlichkeit’ surname (a name with an old-fashioned or unique sound that is popular among a cultural group).
Order DNA origin analysisZinckgraf: Where does the name Zinckgraf come from?
The last name Zinckgraf is most commonly found in Germany and in German speaking countries. The name is usually derived from the occupation of the original ancestor, a Zinckgraf was someone who worked with tin. In Germany this last name is found in the central and northwestern parts of the country.
Outside of Germany, the name is more rare but can still be found in many other countries around the world, including Austria, Luxembourg, Denmark, Switzerland, and the United States. In the United States, the name is primarily found in areas with a high concentration of German speaking immigrants, such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and Ohio.
In some countries, such as Austria, the name has been changed to Zinkgraf, and in other countries it is seen spelled as Zinkgraff or Zincgraf, so it is possible to find people with Zinckgraf ancestors in many countries around the world.
Though the last name may be more rare today outside of Germany, the name still carries a strong presence in the world, and is a reminder of the original ancestor who worked with tin.
Variations of the surname Zinckgraf
The surname Zinckgraf is a German surname. It is an occupational surname that originated in the Middle Ages and refers to a person who worked as a tin smith or a tinsmith. It is derived from the Middle High German words “zincke” and “graf”. The former is a variant of the word for “tin” and the latter is a Germanic suffix meaning “ smith” or “worker”.
The variants of this surname include Zinkegraf, Zinckegraf, Zincgrav, Zinkgraf, Zincgraff, Zynckgraf and Zynkgraf. The most common spelling form is Zinckgraf. The spelling is often confused with other surnames such as Zincgraven and Zincgreven, but they are all derived from different origins and do not share a common origin.
The surname Zinckgraf may also be used as a plural form, Zinckgrafs or as a possessive form, Zinckgraffen. There are also spellings used as different surnames such as Zengraf, Ziegraf, and Zenngraf which have origins in other languages such as Dutch, Swiss, and German.
The surnames Zinckgeleiter, Zinkgrever, and Zinkelgraf also have German origins and may be related variants of the surname Zinckgraf. All in all, the surname Zinckgraf has multiple spellings, variants, and related surnames which can be confusing at times but can all be traced back to the same origin of a tin smith from the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Zinckgraf
- Jillian Zinckgraf, journalist and documentary filmmaker.
- Joseph Zinckgraf, German football player.
- Karen Zinckgraf, astronomer and professor of Physics at the University of Manitoba.
- Dave Zinckgraf, American basketball player.
- John Zinckgraf, United States Navy submariner.
- Clarence Zinckgraf, basketball coach and college athletics director.
- Millicent Zinckgraf, American philanthropist, businesswoman and political activist.
- Kenneth Zinckgraf, German software engineer and entrepreneur.
- Bob Zinckgraf, American cinematographer.
- Olivia Zinckgraf, German fashion designer and entrepreneur.
- Tracy Zinckgraf, American writer, journalist and blogger.
- Richard Zinckgraf, United States Air Force chaplain.
- Katherine Zinckgraf, American marine biologist and conservationist.
- Bert Zinckgraf, German-American sculptor.
- Ted Zinckgraf, German-American cinematographer.
- David Zinckgraf, United States Army officer.
- Georgette Zinckgraf, American folklorist and archivist.
- Werner Zinckgraf, German air force officer and reconnaissance pilot.
- Elizabeth Zinckgraf, Canadian air force commanding officer.
- Anna Zinckgraf, American author and illustrator.