Surname Zoellmer - Meaning and Origin
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Zoellmer: What does the surname Zoellmer mean?
The last name Zoellmer is of German origin and is derived from a diminutive of Zöllner, a term used to refer to a toll-collector or tax-collector in medieval Germany. The original version of the name was 'Zolmanich', but this was gradually shortened to 'Zoellmer' over the years.
The Zoellmers were among the earliest German immigrants to America, arriving as early as 1686. The family settled in Pennsylvania and the surrounding Midwest, with many members becoming prominent farmers in the area. During the 19th century, the family also became well-known for their furniture-making trade, which was passed down through generations of Zoellmers.
Today, the Zoellmers are a widely-established family, with many members found in all parts of the US. The name is strongly associated with hard-work, and it is often a sign of respect amongst German-Americans when it is used as a first or last name. Zoellmer is often thought of as a steadfast family name, with members who are highly-respected and who work hard for their families.
Order DNA origin analysisZoellmer: Where does the name Zoellmer come from?
The last name Zoellmer is most commonly found in Germany, and can be traced back to Old German ancestry. The zoellmer originated in the medieval region of Franconia, located in the southwest part of modern-day Germany, where it is still common today. Due to the migrations of citizens over the centuries, the name is also seen throughout Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, and Austria.
Within the United States, zoellmers have been found living in various states including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, where the highest concentrations are seen. In 2000, more than 1000 people with the last name were counted in the U.S. census, mainly located in the Midwest.
The name Zoellmer derives from the old German elements “zoll” meaning “toll” or “tribute” and “mer” for “fame” or “renown”. It may have first been used to describe someone who was a collector of tolls for a bridge, or who provided services of some kind in addition to a toll for its use. This name has been preserved in many variations over time, such as Zeilman, Zollman, Zullman, Zoller, Zeller, Saller, and Solman.
Variations of the surname Zoellmer
Zoellmer is a surname of German origin, and its variants and spellings are Zöllner, Soellner, Zoelner, Söllner, Söllner, Zellner, Sellner and Sellmer. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word "Zūlnari," which means 'porter.'
The Zöllner spelling reflects the High German pronunciation of the word, whereas the Soellner, Zoelner and Söllner spellings originated in southwestern German dialects. The Zellner and Sellner spellings stem from the Middle German word "zellre," which also means 'porter.' The Sellmer spelling for the surname is the phonetic English spelling of the name.
The Germans have many surnames that are derived from occupations or trades. The Zoellmers, Zöllner, Soellner, Zoelner, Söllner, Zellner and Sellner families likely descended from a line of freight porters or freight car operators. As people moved from town to town or city to city, the spelling of their name could change, particularly if their name was not recorded correctly.
Surnames like Zoellmer, Zöllner, Soellner, Zoelner, Söllner, Zellner and Sellner are all related family names. Variants of Zoellmer are found in many countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, as well as in parts of Scandinavia and Poland. Additionally, surname variants of these names have migrated to countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Zoellmer
- Joel Zoellner: American baseball pitcher who played for four seasons in Major League Baseball in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Henry Zoellner: American curler who competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
- Adam Zoellner: American sculptor and visual artist known for his bronze and marble sculptures.
- Ian Zoellner: American internet entrepreneur and founder of exercise equipment company ZE Treadmills.
- Maggie Zoellner: American actress, model, and author who has appeared in several movies, television programs, and theatre productions.
- J. Allen Zoellner: American politician and lawyer who served as mayor of Baltimore, Maryland from 1891 to 1894.
- David Zoellner: American musician, songwriter, and composer who has performed on several albums and movie soundtracks.
- Joe Zoellner: American voice actor and musician best known for voicing characters on the animated television series Family Guy.
- Kristen Zoellner: German actress, singer, and internet personality who is best known for her work on the German version of Big Brother. 10.Chelsea Zoellner: American television news presenter and reporter who works for ABC News.