Surname Ziegenfuhs - Meaning and Origin
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Ziegenfuhs: What does the surname Ziegenfuhs mean?
The surname Ziegenfuhs is an old German name deriving from the Middle High German word ‘ziege’, which means ‘goat’. It is believed to have been originally a nickname for someone who was believed to have been particularly clumsy or – in some cases – an unflattering judgement of their physique. It eventually developed into a surname, and in modern times members of the Ziegenfuhs family can be found living throughout Germany.
The earliest known recorded use of the name was in 1698, when a man named Johannes Ziegenfuhs was recorded as a citizen of Berlin, having come from the state of Thuringen. It was a much less common surname than it is today, and in the 19th century there were only a few hundred Ziegenfuhs individuals living in Germany.
The Ziegenfuhs name has spread around the globe over the centuries, with members of the family successfully settling Germany, the United States, and other destinations. Today, the surname Ziegenfuhs is a proud reminder of their family’s resilient history, having successfully faced the trials and tribulations of living and surviving in a changing world.
Order DNA origin analysisZiegenfuhs: Where does the name Ziegenfuhs come from?
The last name Ziegenfuhs is most common in Germany today. This is attributed to the country's long, proud history of immigration and settlement patterns that can be observed in several regions of the country. Records for the name Ziegenfuhs date back to at least the 15th century, when the family was residing in the northernmost state of Lower Saxony. The name is also found in the records of the time in nearby regions like Westphalia and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Throughout the centuries, German citizens with the surname Ziegenfuhs have migrated throughout Europe and occasionally overseas, as German immigrants often did. This means that while the surname is still most common in the region of its origin, it can also be found in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and many more.
Today the origin of the last name Ziegenfuhs continues to be the country of Germany, and the surname remains most common in the same regions of Northern Germany where it first became known. Within this region, the surname Ziegenfuhs has been passed down through generations of families, with all generations faithfully retaining the name.
Variations of the surname Ziegenfuhs
The variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ziegenfuhs are Ziegenfeus, Ziegengfuhs, Ziegenfus, Ziegengfus, Zeigengfuhs, Zeigengfus, and Ziegenhfuhs.
Ziegenfuhs is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “ziege” meaning “goat”. It is typically found in northern and central Germany, Bavaria, as well as parts of Poland and Belgium.
It is possible that the surname originated as a toponymic name - one which originally indicated a person’s geographical origin. This type of name would include the German word “fuhs” (pasture) to indicate that the family had originated from an area known for its large number of goats or herds of animals.
Other spellings for the surname would have been adapted over time as a result of oral and hearing miscommunications between people in different regions. In addition to the variant spellings, another alternative surname containing the same origin is Ziegenhagen.
The Ziegenfuhs surname can be found in multiple spellings in various family histories ranging from Germany, England, and Sweden. There is also evidence that this surname was used in the US in the early 21st century.
Overall, the Ziegenfuhs surname and its variants are common in Germany, Poland, and some other parts of Europe, and are found in family histories in the US as well. It is a derivation of the Middle High German word “ziege” meaning “goat” which is thought to have been given as an occupational or toponymic name.
Famous people with the name Ziegenfuhs
- Lydia Ziegenfuhs: German athlete specializing in the 400 meter hurdles. She competed in the 2019 and 2021 European Championships.
- Klaus Ziegenfuhs: German long-distance runner who competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics and several other international competitions.
- Adriane Ziegenfuhs: American track and field athlete who specialized in the 800 meters. She competed in the 2012 and 2016 US Championships, the 2018 Diamond League, and won several international medals.
- Aaron Ziegenfuhs: American cyclist who competed in the 2010 Tour de France and won several other international cycling events.
- "Speed" Joe Ziegenfuhs: American NASCAR driver who raced in the 1990s and was a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
- James Ziegenfuhs: American Major League Baseball player who played for the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cleveland Indians in the 1990s.
- Jan Ziegenfuhs: German gymnast who competed in several international competitions, including the 2012 London Olympics.
- Kim Ziegenfuhs: Australian Paralympic swimmer who won several medals in international competitions in the 2000s.
- Chris Ziegenfuhs: American professional golfer who won several amateur tournaments in the 2000s and competed in several professional tournaments as well.
- Sepp Ziegenfuhs: Austrian alpine skier and ski jumper who competed in international competitions in the 1990s and 2000s.