Surname Ziegenfusz - Meaning and Origin
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Ziegenfusz: What does the surname Ziegenfusz mean?
The last name Ziegenfusz is of German origin and means “goat defense” or “goat foot”. The surname’s etymology is derived from the Middle High German words zig and fuss, which respectively mean “goat” and “foot” or “defense”. It is believed that the name may have originally been an occupational surname given to those who defended goats or farmed these animals.
The earliest recorded Ziegenfusz ancestor is Johannes Ziegenfusz, who was born in Bavaria in the mid-1700s. The Ziegenfusz family tree can be traced back to the early 19th century, when many of the family’s members immigrated to the United States.
Today, Ziegenfusz is a rather rare surname. In the United States, there are fewer than two thousand people with this name. Ziegenfusz is mostly concentrated in Pennsylvania, although there are small numbers of people with the name scattered across the country. Interestingly, the name is most commonly found in the same areas where there is a large Pennsylvania Dutch population.
From its humble beginnings as an occupational surname, Ziegenfusz has become a distinct family lineage. The name's unique origin is a testament to the family's hardworking spirit and dedication to their ancestors. It is a reminder that everything we do today is influenced by the generations that came before us.
Order DNA origin analysisZiegenfusz: Where does the name Ziegenfusz come from?
The last name Ziegenfusz is most commonly seen today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The word root for “Ziegenfusz” is “ziegen” which means “goat” in German. The roots “fusz” means “foot” in German; thus, the name literally means “goat’s foot.”
The first recorded instance of the Ziegenfusz surname was in Germany. Johannes Ziegenfusz was born in 1582 in the town of Remptendorf, which is located in the Thuringia region of Germany.
Since then, the surname has spread to other countries. Many of its holders have a strong religious heritage tied to the Lutheran church. Many members of the Ziegenfusz family have served in the military, including two men who served in the American Revolutionary War.
The Ziegenfusz surname is still strongly associated with Pennsylvania and Ohio, especially areas in close proximity to Philadelphia and Cleveland.
In modern times, the most well-known bearer of this surname is the actor and singer Joe Zegedfuss. Joe Ziegfusz became famous after he starred in the musical “Rent”. The last name has been seen in a variety of different contexts, including business, law, and medicine.
The surname Ziegenfusz is still found today in many parts of the world. Although it is not as common as some other surnames, it still carries a strong sense of connection to a family’s history and German heritage.
Variations of the surname Ziegenfusz
The surname Ziegenfusz is derived from the personal name 'Ziegensfuss' or 'Ziegenfuss', which is German in origin and which means 'goat's foot' (from the combination of the German words 'Ziege' meaning 'goat', and 'Fuss' meaning 'foot'). The surname is also linked with the German 'pan-Germanic' name 'Sigifrid', which is composed of two elements: 'Sigi', which is derived from the Germanic personal name 'Sigewulf' meaning 'victory wolf', and 'Frid' which is derived from the Germanic word meaning 'peace'.
The variants of the Ziegenfusz surname include Ziegenfuss, Ziegensfuss, Sigifrid, Sigafrid, Sigefrid, Sigefred and Sigifredo. There is also the variation of Ziegenfusser.
The surnames which are of related origin to that of Ziegenfusz include Zieger, Ziegers, Ziegert, Zigler, and Ziegler. These surnames come from the Middle High German word 'zigalare' meaning 'hoarder, saver', indicating someone who was money conscious. There is also the associated name Zeiger which comes from the Middle High German word 'zegenar' or 'zigilar' meaning 'singer'.
The Ziegenfusz surname is also found in other countries, such as Poland, and in these nations, the surname is spelled 'Zychonfus'. This spelling, however, is not really used in other countries, other than in Poland.
Therefore, the surname Ziegenfusz has various spellings, variants, and associated surnames in many countries around the world and is an interesting surname with a proud history.
Famous people with the name Ziegenfusz
- Rick Ziegenfuss: Actor, writer, and Emmy Award-winning host of “Passport Paradise” on Travel Channel
- Holly Ziegenfuss: Women’s basketball coach at Robert Morris University
- Chip Ziegenfuss: Former political consultant and Chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party
- James Ziegenfuss: Former NBA basketball player and Development Manager at Autodesk
- Warren Ziegenfuss: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Nedor Ziegenfuss: Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Alex Ziegenfuss: NFL professional football player
- Roy Ziegenfuss: Famed baseball pitcher in the Minor Leagues
- Martha Ziegenfuss: Founder and President of Babysitters4Jobs.com
- Dallas Ziegenfuss: Professional snowboarder and daredevil
- Stephen Ziegenfuss: Former boxer who won the National Golden Gloves middleweight title
- Harvey Ziegenfuss: Former member of the Texas Senate
- Chris Ziegenfuss: Professional hockey player for the San Jose Sharks
- Hope Ziegenfuss: Professional figure skater and former Olympian
- Tobin Ziegenfuss: Professional golfer on the PGA Tour
- Charles Ziegenfuss: Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart
- Rob Ziegenfuss: Professional mountain climber and outdoor enthusiast