Surname Zinß - Meaning and Origin
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Zinß: What does the surname Zinß mean?
The last name Zinß is of German origin and has several possible meanings. In German, the letter "ß" is equivalent to the double "s" letter in English. The spelling of Zinß may also occasionally be Zins, and this variation is sometimes even seen in written records.
One possible origin of the last name Zoinß is from the German word "Zinss" which means interest or rent. This would most likely be an occupational surname for someone who collected rents or was engaged in the business of lending money. It could also be a descriptive surname for someone who was thought to look after his own financial interests.
Alternatively, the last name could have derived from a place-name, with the "s" being a shortened version of the German word for "house" or "settlement". A settlement near the source of a stream that was named Zinß could thus be the origin of the name.
The last name Zinß may also refer to someone living in or from the German town of Zinß, which is located in Hesse. This version of the name would derive from the Old German words "tinza" and "zintza", both of which meant something like "white porcelain".
Regardless of its origin, the last name Zinß was quite popular in the German-speaking region in the Middle Ages and is still seen today in some families.
Order DNA origin analysisZinß: Where does the name Zinß come from?
The last name Zinß is most common in Germany, but can also be found in Austria, the Netherlands, the United States, and other countries. It is estimated that around 3,000 people living around the world bear the name.
In Germany, Zinß can be found in the Bavarian and Saxon regions of eastern Germany. It is also widespread in the historic wine-making area around Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. In Austria, the name is most common in the Styrian region of south-eastern Austria.
The origin of the name is believed to come from the Middle Ages when it was given to vineyard owners. It is derived from the German word for “vine” (Zinne), which might have referred to vineyards handling the Zinne (#1) grape variety, an ancient variety of white wine.
The surname Zinß has a long history in both Germany and Austria, with records of the surname dating back to the 16th century. It is likely derived from the Middle German word "zinsen," meaning "to pay." Therefore, it could have been adopted by people who were paying dues or taxes to local lords.
Despite having been around for centuries, the surname Zinß is still quite common today. It is believed to represent a continuation of an ancient peasant tradition rooted in wine production and the payment of dues.
Variations of the surname Zinß
The surname Zinß, also spelled Zins or Zinz, is a German-Jewish name, believed to originate from the Middle High German word “zinze”, meaning “border” or “edge”. It is most commonly found in the areas of Bavaria, Thuringia, Silesia, and Prussia in Germany. In the 1700s and 1800s, many families bearing this surname migrated to the United States.
Variants of the surname Zins include Zinz, Zinß, Zens, Zeins, as well as distinct surnames such as Zembsch, Zinzberg, Zinser, and Zinsmeyer. Surnames that are related to Zins include Zinsel, Zinsser, Zinsburg, Zinner, and Winz.
In the United States, the spelling has generally changed from Zinß to Zins. The earliest American records of the name date from the mid-1800s, and are found mostly in Pennsylvania and New York. The name is distinct from the less recognizable names of other German immigrants to the United States such as Zembsch and Zinzberg.
Despite its German roots, the surname is also found throughout the world, including in countries like Brazil, England, Spain, France, Mexico, Canada, India, Australia, and others. It can be found in many variations, including Zin, Zinn, Zinsmeister, Zint, and Zinssmeyer.
In conclusion, the name Zinß has numerous spelling variations and related surnames stemming from its German roots. It is found in many countries, often with subtle differences in spelling, but is easily recognized as the same name.
Famous people with the name Zinß
- Jürgen Zinst: German businessman and premier of East Germany from 1982 to 1989.
- August Zinst: American entrepreneur and founder of the World Wide Web.
- David Zinß: Austrian actor, known mainly for his work in the worlds of theatre and cinema.
- Henry Zinß: German-American physicist who made significant contributions to the understanding of nuclear magnetic resonance.
- Theresa Zinß: German opera singer and the first female voice teacher at the Vienna Conservatory.
- Gabrielle Zinß: French visual artist and writer, best known as the co-founder of the Fluxus art movement.
- Leon Zinß: Russian-Canadian composer, pianist, and musicologist whose works are heavily influenced by traditional Russian folk music.
- Alex Zinß: American stand-up comedian and actor, best known for his appearances in Saturday Night Live.
- Brian Zinß: British painter, sculptor, and printmaker, known for his use of innovative and unorthodox materials in his works.
- Eliot Zinß: American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer.