Surname Zöllmer - Meaning and Origin
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Zöllmer: What does the surname Zöllmer mean?
The last name Zöllmer is of German origin, derived from the old German word “Zöllner” meaning a customs collector. It was used as an occupational surname to denote someone who was a government tax collector or customs agent, as duties such as tariffs and border stops were traditionally under the purview of a Zöllner. Throughout Germany, the Zöllmer surname has been recorded since the 13th century.
The use of Zöllmer as alastname gained increased popularity during the early twentieth century amidst the rise of nation-states seeking to drive revenue from customs duties and other taxes. As a result, many individuals from different occupational backgrounds began to adopt the surname Zöllmer or its derivatives.
Zöllmers have a long and varied history in German and European history. They have contributed to the government, political, diplomatic, and military realms as well as the mundane economic and legal transactions. For instance, many perished during the Thirty Years War, which ravaged Germany beginning in 1618 and ending in 1648. Subsequently, numerous survivors found themselves either fending off or engaging in taxes in order to support the war effort.
Today, the Zöllmer surname continues to be widely used across Germany. It is also present in dozens of other countries, including the United States. The impact of these individuals may best be held in lieu of the many citizens they impacted, and whether the nature of the impact was positive or negative.
Order DNA origin analysisZöllmer: Where does the name Zöllmer come from?
The last name Zöllmer is most commonly found in parts of Germany, particularly in the western, central and northern regions. It is particularly prominent in North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria. This last name is also found in all major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich, and in many small towns and villages.
The surname Zöllmer is typically of German origin, and indicates a family who originally lived near a church bell (or "Zöll"). This type of name is known as a metonymic surname, which means that it was derived from a feature of the family's original home.
The Zöllmer family has maintained its popularity throughout the centuries. It is a very common and prestigious surname all over Germany, and has also spread to other countries in continental Europe, the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the name Zöllmer is one of the top 300 most common surnames. The states with the most number of people bearing this last name are Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey and Maryland. In Canada, this last name is more popular in Ontario, followed by Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
For families in Germany and elsewhere who are curious about their last name, searching genealogical records is a great place to start. Archives all over the world can provide details about the family's original home and occupation.
Variations of the surname Zöllmer
Zöllmer is a surname of Germanic origin, and has many variants, with alternative spellings, as well as surnames of the same origin.
The main variant of Zöllmer is Zeilmeier. This alternate spelling was mainly popularized in Bavaria, Austria, and South Germany. Other variants of Zöllmer include Zellmer, Zalmeer, Ziellmeier, Ziehmeister, and Zildoer.
Variants of Zöllmer due to regional dialects also exist, including Zillemer, Zalmer, and Zillenmer. The English variation of Zöllmer is Sellmer.
Other similar surnames of Germanic origin include Zellman, Zellaar, Zelmer, Zollinger, Zalig, and Zalazar. Surnames such as Schällmer, Søllmer, and Sällmer, however, come from the Scandinavian countries.
Zöllmer is also a common word in German, meaning tollman or toll collector. This word is created by combining two words - Zoll, meaning tax or duty, and Mer, referring to the person.
Variations of Zöllmer are still common today, with many German-speaking people of the same origin using the same surname. The different spellings and variants reflect the dispersal of the surname's holders over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Zöllmer
- Marius Zöllner: German politician.
- Silke Zöllner: German field hockey player.
- Jean Zöllner: French composer and music professor.
- Florian Zöllner: German footballer.
- Ofra Zöllner: Israeli scholar and professor of Education.
- Bob Zöllner: German basketball player.
- Sebastian Zöllner: German composer and lyricist.
- Simon Zöllner: German clay artist.
- Gottfried Zöllner: German astronomer.
- Roberto Zöllner: German polo player.
- Martin Zöllner: Austrian sculptor, born in Salzburg.
- Mike Zöllner: German Paralympic athlete.
- Christian Zöllner: German musician and producer.
- Bernhard Zöllner: German fintech executive.
- Daniel Zöllner: German Olympic track and field athlete.
- Elke Zöllner: German author, poet, and professor of Literary Studies.
- Armin Zöllner: German football coach.
- Andreas Zöllner: German physicist, astronomer and author.
- Herbert Zöllner: German tenor.
- Markus Zöllner: German Paralympic volleyball player.