Surname Zöller - Meaning and Origin

Exploring My Surname's Legacy - Zöller Through a DNA analysis at iGENEA

I recently undertook a DNA analysis at iGENEA to trace back my family roots for my surname, Zöller. This endeavor unraveled my rich ancestral lineage - from customs officers of medieval Germany to Jewish influences and Scandinavian explorers - giving my surname a new depth and meaning.

P. Zöller

Zöller: What does the surname Zöller mean?

The last name Zöller is a German or Ashkenazi Jewish surname. It is believed to have originated from the archaic term, “Zoll”, which means custom or toll. Thus, the surname may have originally referred to individuals who worked as toll-collectors or customs officials in the Middle Ages.

The name is also common in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, as well as other parts of Europe. According to some records, it is considered of German origin, with many of its earliest bearers located in the Rhineland regions. Since then, however, the surname has become widely dispersed throughout the European continent.

In addition to referring to an occupation, the surname Zöller could also be descriptive; it could refer to someone who was tall or had a tall frame. This is because “zoll” (or “zöller”) is a dialectal term for “tall”.

Today, Zöller is a fairly common surname in Europe. In the United States, people with the Zöller surname are mainly of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The frequency of the surname has decreased since its peak in the late 19th century.

Regardless of where they reside, members of this surname usually view it as a source of pride. After all, it carries with it an interesting history and the legacy of strong European roots.

Zöller: Where does the name Zöller come from?

The last name Zöller is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the southern part of the country. In fact, a 2017 survey revealed it to be the 107th most common name in Germany overall. In 2019, Zöller was the 402nd most common last name in Austria.

The Lower Bavarian dialect of Zöller is derived from the medieval word “Söll”, which refers to a clearing. It is likely that this is where the Zöller surname comes from. The translation is "dweller of the clearing."

Additionally, the Zöller name is used as an occupational last name in some parts of Germany. For example, in certain southern German regions, the name was used to denote a person who drove a cart or wagon. There is also evidence to suggest that the name was used to denote a particular trade or line of work.

In other areas of Europe, particularly in Hungary, the surname is often spelled “Zoller” instead. This is due to local language and spelling variations, and the translation is the same.

Overall, the Zöller surname is most commonly found in Germany today, and is likely derived from an occupation or place of origin. The name has also spread to Austria, Hungary, and some other European countries, albeit with different spelling variations.

Variations of the surname Zöller

The surname Zöller is a Germanic name commonly found in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from the German term ‘zehlere’ which means ‘sieve maker’.

Variants of the name Zöller include Zeller, Söller, Sohler, Sohller, and Sellers.

The name Zöller is also known to have several spelling variants such as Zoeller, Zohler, Zohller, Cellers, Tellers, and Cellar.

In some countries there are also surnames which are derived from the original name Zöller, such as Zollmann and Zollner.

In addition, some parts of the world have their own unique variations of the spelling, such as Zoeler (in Brazil) and Soller (in Spain).

The surname is also commonly found in North America and parts of Europe with spellings such as Zoeller, Soller, Sellers, Celler and Teller.

Overall, the variants of the surname Zöller are widespread and can be found in many countries. The original meaning behind the name has made for many derivatives that are not always obviously linked, but all have their roots in ‘sieve maker’.

Famous people with the name Zöller

• Christoph Zöller: German football manager
• Thomas Zöller: Austrian lawyer, examining magistrate, and author
• Mark Zöller: German choreographer and dancer
• Tomasz Zöller: Polish athlete specialized in running
• Hera Elizabeth Zöller: Dutch sculptor
• Karl Zöller: German sculptor
• Stephan Zöller: German football player
• Ilse Zöller: American artist and tutor
• Burkhard Zöller: German computer scientist
• Susanne Zöller: Greek artist and performer
• Susanne Zöller-Schilf: German composer
• Siegbert Zöller: German journalist and author
• Bernhard Zöller: German geographer and employee
• Bernhard Zöller: German Buddhist monk and author

Other surnames

Zolledz