Surname Ziegerer - Meaning and Origin

Ziegerer: What does the surname Ziegerer mean?

The last name Ziegerer is German in origin and translates to “goat-keeper” or “goatherd.” The name is derived from the Middle High German word “zieger” or “ziegerin” which can mean variously “goat”, “goat herder”, or “goat farmer”. It is believed to have originated as an occupational name for someone who bred and kept goats, either as a hobby or professionally. In the Middle Ages, goat-keeping was an important occupation in Germany due to the animal’s ability to help with agricultural tasks and provide sustenance and other resources. The animal was also popular among the country’s peasants as it was easy to care for and not as expensive as other livestock.

The last name Ziegerer has since spread to many other countries with a large German diaspora, and is still relatively common today. It is believed to be borne by tens of thousands of people worldwide, and can still be found throughout Germany as well as in countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, and the United States. Interestingly, the name can also be translated to mean simply “goat”, making those who bear it some of the few in the world to bear a surname that is literally an animal.

Ziegerer: Where does the name Ziegerer come from?

The last name Ziegerer (or sometimes Zeiger) is a German surname which is still quite common in Germany today. It has its roots in a name given to someone who tended to goats (“Ziegenhirt” in German) and derives from the Old German words “zioga” (goat) and “heri” (lord).

The surname is especially common in the south of Germany, including regions such as the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, and parts of Switzerland. It has become widespread due to those who have emigrated from these areas and settled elsewhere in the world, particularly the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The pronunciation of Ziegerer (or Zeiger) varies slightly from region to region, with “zee-ger-er” the most prevalent form in the south of Germany, while “zyger-er” is more popular in its northern areas.

As of 2018, the name was recorded as having 3548 people registered with it in Germany. However, it is not limited to German-speaking countries, and those with the name Ziegerer can be found in many other countries, including Russia, Hungary, Sweden, and New Zealand.

Overall, Ziegerer is a popular surname across many parts of the world today, and those with the name can generally be found all over, especially in its traditional areas throughout Germany.

Variations of the surname Ziegerer

The surname Ziegerer is most commonly found in Germany and the German-speaking areas of Switzerland and Austria. It derives from the German word ‘Zieger’, which means ‘to sow’ or ‘to reap’. Variants of the name include Seiger, Sieger, Zieger, Sieggering, and Zeiger.

The spelling of the name varies depending on the region and when it was adopted. For example, some people who live in Austria may spell the name as Ziegerer, while those living in Switzerland may spell it Zeger.

Surnames that have the same origin as Ziegerer are Zieferer, Seifert, Fieger, and Pfieger. These versions are more common in Bavaria, the region of Germany where the name originates.

Other variants of the surname Ziegerer include Ziegerle, Ziegerl, and Zieger. These are less common than the traditional Ziegerer spelling.

The surname has been found in records as far back as the 16th century, and its use has been widespread across Europe ever since.

In conclusion, the most common variant of the surname Ziegerer is Ziegerer, and it is mainly found in Germany and German-speaking areas of Switzerland and Austria. Other variants, spellings, and surnames that are thought to have the same origin as Ziegerer include Seiger, Sieger, Zieger, Sieggering, Zeiger, Zieferer, Seifert, Fieger, Pfieger, Ziegerle, Ziegerl, and Zieger. The use of the surname has been dated back to the 16th century in European records.

Famous people with the name Ziegerer

• Anton Ziegerer (publicist and bibliophile, also known as Francis Ziegerer)
• Hermann Ziegerer (Austrian bibliographer and bookseller)
• Kurt Ziegerer (architect and civil engineer who worked on the reconstruction of the Parliament Building in Budapest)
• Joseph Ziegerer (Hungarian sculptor and medallist)
• Mary Ziegerer (American actress and film producer)
• Anna Ziegerer (Austrian author and playwright)
• Nathalie Ziegerer (German philanthropist and author)
• Wolfgang Ziegerer (German politician who served in the Bundestag)
• Wilhelm Ziegerer (Austrian composer and conductor)
• Friedrich Ziegerer (German art historian and curator)

Other surnames

Zieger