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Zimmermann History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Zimmermann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Israel

The historic German state of Prussia is the ancestral home of the Zimmermann family. Hereditary surnames began to be used in Germany during the 12th century. The Zimmermann surname is derived from job done by its initial bearer. Zimmermann is an occupational name for a in Prussia. The name Zimmer means "room" or "chamber" while the derivative Zimmerman and its many variations are occupational names meaning carpenter, literally "room man."

Early Origins of the Zimmermann family

The surname Zimmermann was first found in Prussia, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches in Germany and abroad, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Chronicles first mention the knight Hans von Zimmern, who signed his name Hans Zimmerlin, of Wuerttemberg around 1414.

Early History of the Zimmermann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zimmermann research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1644, 1672, 1685, 1693, 1730, 1766, 1778, 1811 and 1812 are included under the topic Early Zimmermann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Zimmermann Spelling Variations

Many 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 Zimmermann include Zimmer, Zimmerle, Zimmerer, Zimmermann, Zimmerman, Zimerman, Timmer (northern Germany), Timmermann, Timmerman and many more.

Early Notables of the Zimmermann family

Notable figures of the time with the name Zimmermann were

Johann Jacob Zimmermann (1644-1693), a German nonconformist theologian, Millenarian, mathematician, and astronomer

Zimmermann Ranking

In the United States, the name Zimmermann is the 5,467^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Zimmermann is ranked the 491^st most popular surname with an estimated 9,120 people with that name. 2

Zimmermann migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Zimmermann Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Heinrich Zimmermann, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1698 3

Zimmermann Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Emanuel Zimmermann, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1706 3
Jacob Zimmermann, who arrived in New York in 1709 3
Johann Jacob Zimmermann, who arrived in New York, NY in 1710 3
Jacob Zimmermann, who landed in Frederick County, Maryland in 1722 3
Andreas Zimmermann, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1727 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Zimmermann Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Wilke Zimmermann, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 3
Peter Zimmermann, who landed in America in 1834 3
Christian Zimmermann, who arrived in North America in 1838 3
Philip Zimmermann, who arrived in St Clair County, Illinois in 1840 3
William Zimmermann, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1842 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Zimmermann migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Zimmermann Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Gotl Zimmermann, aged 64, who landed in Quebec in 1868

Zimmermann migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Zimmermann Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

J. Daniel Zimmermann, aged 44, a farmer, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Gellert" 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Zimmermann (post 1700) +

Warren Zimmermann (1934-2004), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Yugoslavia, 1988 5
George Zimmermann Sr., American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1924, 1932 5
George Zimmermann, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Bergen County, 1890-91 5
Emil C. Zimmermann, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for New York, 1956 5
Gerd Zimmermann (1949-2022), German footballer who played nine seasons in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach, SC Fortuna Köln and Fortuna Düsseldorf
Udo Zimmermann (1943-2021), German composer, musicologist, opera director, and conductor
Wolfhart Zimmermann (1928-2016), German theoretical physicist
Arthur Zimmermann (1859-1940), German Secretary of State, World War I who wrote the famous "Zimmermann telegram" that provoked the United States into declaring war on Germany
Egon Zimmermann (1939-2016), Austrian World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist
Johann Georg Zimmermann (1728-1795), Swiss physician and writer
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Zimmermann family +

Bismarck

Walter Zimmermann (1920-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6
Johannes Zimmermann (1920-1998), German Maschinengefreiter serving aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he survived the sinking 6
Johann Zimmermann (1923-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6
Hans Zimmermann (1919-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6

RMS Titanic

Mr. Leo Zimmermann (d. 1912), aged 29, German Third Class passenger from Todtmoos who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 7

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) GELLERT 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Gellert.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html