Show ContentsZinck 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 Zinck family

The surname Zinck 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 Zinck family

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

Zinck Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Zinck family

More information is included under the topic Early Zinck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Zinck migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Zinck Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anthony Zinck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 1
  • Jacob Zinck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1754 1
  • Querin Zinck, who arrived in New York, NY in 1782 1

Canada Zinck migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Zinck Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Barbara Zinck, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Caspar Zinck, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Elisabeth Zinck, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Peter Zinck, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757

Contemporary Notables of the name Zinck (post 1700) +

  • Kathleen Shirley Zinck (1961-2022), née Smith, Canadian gold medalist curler from Truro, Nova Scotia, her and her team won the Tournament of Hearts national women's championship in 1982

Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. William  Zinck (1884-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 2
SS Atlantic
  • Dubler Zinck, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
  • Dubler Zinck, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking


  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)
  2. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance


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