| ![Show Contents]() Zelle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The ancient roots of the Zelle family are found in the German state of Bavaria. Zelle was a local name, for someone who lived in the place named Zell. This place-name can be found in several areas in Germany, but the most well known town of this name is in the region of Freiburg, which is in the Schwarzwald, or the Black Forest, just north of the Swiss border. The place-name has appeared in several countries where the Germanic people had influence. Early Origins of the Zelle familyThe surname Zelle was first found in Bavaria, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking supremacy in constantly changing power relations. Chronicles first mention Ulrich Zeller of Esslingen in 1282 and Dietrich Czelleman of Muehlhausen in Saxony in 1393. The name originates in the Latin word "cella," which was taken into mediaeval German in the word "Klosterzelle." Early History of the Zelle familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zelle research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1462, 1477, 1497, 1503, 1548, 1560, 1562, 1630, 1683 and 1763 are included under the topic Early Zelle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Zelle Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Zelle include Zeller, Zellers, Zell, Zelle, Zella, Zellmer, Zelleman, Zellaman, Zellemann, Zellner, Zelmer, Zelman, Zelkmann, Zellman, Zelner, Zellerman and many more. Early Notables of the Zelle familyMore information is included under the topic Early Zelle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Zelle familyGerman settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Zelle surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Bacshe Zeller, who came with his wife Verena Schaublin and their three children to Carolina in 1749; Heinrich Zeller came to Philadelphia in 1738; Peter Zell came to Philadelphia County in 1734.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Zelle (post 1700) | + |
- Max Zelle (b. 1915), prominent American biologist and educator
- Robert Zelle, American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 95th District, 1998 1
- Joe Zelle, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Missouri State House of Representatives 95th District, 2012 1
- Margarete Gertrude Zelle (1876-1917), birth name of Mata Hari, the Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and accused spy
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