Show ContentsZink History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name almost surely comes from the Middle High German word "zinke," meaning "a tip," or "point," but the reason that name was given is somewhat uncertain. There are three main possibilities and the most likely of these is that the name was given to someone who lived on a pointed piece of land, either a point of land by a body of water or a small, pointed hill. Another possibility is that is was a nickname for someone with a very pointy nose. The word "zinke" was also used for a cornet; so the name might have been given to someone who played that musical instrument.

Early Origins of the Zink family

The surname Zink was first found in Bavaria, where the name was closely identified in early medieval 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, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Zink family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zink research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Zink History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Zink Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Zink, Zinke, Zincke, Zingg, Sink, Sinke, Synk and others.

Early Notables of the Zink family

Prominent among members of the name Zink in this period include

  • the Zink family of Nuremberg

Zink Ranking

In the United States, the name Zink is the 4,735th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. [1]


United States Zink migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Zink Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Rudolf Zink, who arrived in New York in 1709 with his wife and four children
  • Rudolf Zink, who arrived in New York in 1709 [2]
  • Gottlieb Zink, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 [2]
Zink Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Martin Zink, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 [2]
  • Nikolaus Zink, who arrived in Texas in 1844 [2]
  • Phillip Zink, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1845 [2]
  • Carl Zink, who landed in Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Elisa & Char." [2]
  • Heinrich Theodor Zink, who arrived in America in 1854 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Zink migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Zink Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Zink is listed among German mercenaries in Quebec in 1776

Contemporary Notables of the name Zink (post 1700) +

  • William Zink, American politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 16th District, 1907-08 [3]
  • S. E. Zink, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Iowa State House of Representatives from Marshall County, 1950 [3]
  • Mildred A. Zink, American politician, Mayor of Clarksburg, West Virginia, 1987 [3]
  • John George Zink, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1920 [3]
  • Homer C. Zink, American politician, Member of New Jersey State Senate from Essex County, 1939-41 [3]
  • George L. Zink, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Gold Democrat National Convention from Illinois, 1896 [3]
  • Earl T. Zink (1923-1984), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Wayne County 6th District, 1961 [3]
  • Charles E. Zink, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut Republican State Central Committee, 1940 [3]
  • John Jacob Zink (1886-1952), American architect of movie houses
  • Walter Noble Zink (1898-1964), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • ... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Zink +

  • The Making of an American Family (including Zinc Family) by Ann Zink Beck.
  • Sink Descendants, Jacob Zinck Pioneer: Zinck, Zink, and Sink.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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