Show ContentsZenger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Zenger family

The surname Zenger was first found in Saxony, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Chronicles first mention Jacob Zengerlin from the Allgaeu region of southern Bavaria in 1250. In Old German the name meant "lively" and "spritely," or more literally, "a biting, sharp taste."

Early History of the Zenger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zenger research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1697, 1710, 1746 and 1811 are included under the topic Early Zenger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Zenger Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Zeng, Zenge, Zenger, Zengerle, Zengern, Zengl, Zengel, Zaengel, Zange, Zanger and many more.

Early Notables of the Zenger family

Prominent bearers of the family name Zenger at this time were

  • John Peter Zenger (1697-1746), who emigrated from Germany to America with his family in 1710, set up a newspaper in New York and achieved the first important victory for freedom of the press in the co...


United States Zenger migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Zenger Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Peter Zenger, who landed in Maryland in 1666-1750 1
Zenger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Simon Zenger, who arrived in Carolina in 1733 1
  • Simon Zenger, who settled in Carolina between 1733-35 with his wife and child
Zenger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Theresia Zenger, who arrived in America in 1844-1845 1
  • Magdalena Zenger, who landed in America in 1857 1


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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