Surname Zinssmeister - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Z'
Zinssmeister: What does the surname Zinssmeister mean?
The last name Zinssmeister is an occupational surname of German origin derived from the word Zinssetzer, which translates to “assessor of dues and taxes”. It was popular in medieval Germany and usually referred to someone who was responsible for assessing the dues and taxes paid by local peasants.
In some cases, it could also be used to refer to a treasurer, local official or a financial inspector. While these duties have much changed in the modern world, the name Zinssmeister remains a reminder of Germany’s administrative past.
The surname is also found in Austria and other areas of central and eastern Europe where German was once the dominant language. Today, it can be found in both its original form as well as variations such as Zinssmüller and Zinssner.
Though rare, the surname Zinssmeister still exists throughout Europe and the United States. It is a reminder of the important roles played by administrators, treasurers and financial officials in the past. It is also an example of how the social changes and developments in our world are often reflected in the names our ancestors gave to us.
Order DNA origin analysisZinssmeister: Where does the name Zinssmeister come from?
The surname Zinssmeister is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, particularly in the state of Bavaria. It is thought to be most populous in the area around Munich and the surrounding Bavarian countryside. The name originated from the town of Zinsmeister, near Hanover in Lower Saxony, but much of the population migrated south in the 17th century. They settled with other German-speaking people and helped to shape the local culture and language. The name is generally believed by linguists to be a combination of the words “Zins”, meaning “interest”, and “Meister” meaning “master” or “occupier”, so the name could mean “interest Master” or “Interest Occupier”.
In modern day, Zinssmeister can be found all over the world, due to the large number of people who have migrated as a result of increased globalisation and the modern economy. In recent years, the name can be found particularly in the United States and Canada, amongst descendants of German immigrants who moved to North America throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. People with the name Zinssmeister can also be found in some countries outside of Europe, such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. However, it remains most common in its original heartland, Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Zinssmeister
The surname Zinssmeister (or Zinsmeister, Cinsmeister, Cintzmeister) is thought to have originated in Germany and is derived from the Middle High German term “zinsman,” meaning “tax collector” or “tribute collector.” The Middle High German roots of the surname are likely to have been the source of some of its alternate spellings including Zinsmeister, of which the most commonly seen variant is the “Z” spelling, Cinsmeister, and Cintzmeister. It is believed that multiple ‘C’ and ‘Z’ spellings arose due to either the migration of the name from place to place within Germany, or due to improper recording in handwriting as the surname had spread from its original location with the migration of people.
Variants of the name are plentiful - variants include Cinsmeister, Cyntzmeister, Cintzmeister, Zinsmeister, Zinssmeister, Zimsmister, Zimsmeister, and Zinmeister. Some of these are regional differences due to the family having moved to various other regions across Europe over the centuries, while other variations are likely due to language and literacy differences between dialects. It is also likely that, while some of the variants originate from language and literacy differences, others are misspellings due to new records being written on unfamiliar surfaces such as stone or metal, or when a scriber did not have access to accurate spellings of the surname.
Spelling variations may also have been adopted by other immigrants to other countries, creating even more variants. Examples include Zinsmyster (in Denmark) and Zinsmeistical (in the UK). The surnames and variants of Zinssmeister have become more widespread over time, with the surname now commonly found in many countries across Europe and North America.
Famous people with the name Zinssmeister
- Judith Zinssmeister, an Austrian competitive figure skater
- Mark Zinssmeister, an Austrian professional ice hockey player
- Florian Zinssmeister, an Austrian handball player
- Gerhard Zinssmeister, a German physicist
- Reinhard Zinssmeister, a German geographer
- Guido Zinssmeister, an Austrian former professional tennis player
- Stefan Zinssmeister, an Austrian handball player
- Barry Zinssmeister, an American former professional baseball player
- Patrick Zinssmeister, an Austrian actor
- Monika Zinssmeister, a German rower