Surname zur Mühlen - Meaning and Origin
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zur Mühlen: What does the surname zur Mühlen mean?
The German surname Zur Mühlen can be traced back to the Middle Ages when a person gained the surname when they lived close to a mill where grain was ground into flour. This surname was typically found in the Rhineland area of Germany, but due to migration, can now be found throughout the country and beyond. The word ‘mühlen’ is derived from the Old German word ‘mulinâ’ which translates to ‘mill’. The prefix ‘zur’ means ‘of the’ or ‘belonging to’, and was used to designate a person’s residence.
This surname could have been used to differentiate between people who lived near a mill and those who did not. Some people might have owned mill homes, while others could have held a connection to the mill in terms of work or services. The surname could have been used to indicate an employers status and as a way to distinguish themselves from the other people in the vicinity.
There is a chance that this surname evolved in different ways, as people moved to different parts of Germany and abroad. Now, it may be common to see variations like Zur Mühl, Zu der Mühl, Zu der Muehl, and more. Some descendants may have even changed the spelling when they migrated, as with other German surnames.
For many generations, Zur Mühlen was a surname passed down in families. The prevalence of it for such a long period of time is testimony to its historical and cultural importance.
Order DNA origin analysiszur Mühlen: Where does the name zur Mühlen come from?
The last name "Zur Mühlen" is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the states of Saxony, Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein. In Saxony, the surname is the 12th most common one in the state, with approximately 4,400 people bearing the name. In Bavaria, it is the 19th most common, while Schleswig-Holstein has the name in its 30th spot.
The name itself is derived from the German word "mühle," which means "mill" or "windmill," and is generally seen as an occupational name for people who worked at mills. The name was likely most popular in those three states because they have a long history of milling and farming, and it was likely that those who worked at mills and owned them in those particular areas would have taken on the "Zur Mühlen" name.
Those who have the name today likely maintain their roots in Germany, since it continues to be most commonly found there. Others who have emigrated to countries like the United States and Canada likely still carry the surname, though not in as great of numbers as in Germany. Additionally, the name could be used by some who have taken on a more recently developed German-esque surname, such as those who have converted from a Jewish family name.
As a whole, the last name Zur Mühlen is most commonly found in Germany today, as well as in countries with German immigrant populations. Its origins remain in milling and farming, both of which are still crucial to German tradition and culture today.
Variations of the surname zur Mühlen
The surname zur Mühlen is a German and Dutch origin name; it is a German/Dutch locative surname which evolved from the name of a house owned by the original bearer of the name. The original form of the name is Mühlendorf or Mühlhausen.
The variants of the zur Mühlen surname include: Zurmuhlen, zu der Muhle, zur Muhl, zur Muel, zur Muehl, zurmühl, Muhel, Muhlen, Muhlin, Mulen, Mulin, Muhlhausen, and Muhlendorf.
The most common spellings of zur Mühlen are zur Mühlen, Zurmuhlen, zu der Muhle, Zur Muhl, Zur Muel, and Zur Muehl.
The surnames of the same origin as zur Mühlen are Mueller, Müller, Moller, Mulder, Muler, Miler, Meuller, Müllender, Mullerdorf, Mühlenkamp, Molina, Mollinger, Möhlenhaus, and Mehlhausen.
In conclusion, the surname zur Mühlen is a German/Dutch locative surname which has many variants and spellings, and is believed to have a connection to many other surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name zur Mühlen
- Axel Zur Mühlen, former Petroleum Minister of Bolivia (1985-1989).
- Joachim von Zur Mühlen, officer in the German Imperial Army (World War I).
- Ulrich von Zur Mühlen, German jurist and politician (member of the German Democratic Party).
- Heribert von Zur Mühlen, German author.
- Benjamin von Zur Mühlen, German politician (member of the CDU/CSU).
- Jürgen Von Zur Mühlen, German chess player.
- Julius Von Zur Mühlen, German military officer (served in World War II).
- Eva von Zur Mühlen, German singer (author of the song “Helden meines Lebens”).
- Christian von Zur Mühlen, Swedish freestyle skier (Junior World Champion in 2015).
- Paul von Zur Mühlen, German composer and violinist (member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra).