Surname Zwilling - Meaning and Origin

Zwilling: What does the surname Zwilling mean?

The last name Zwilling is a German surname derived from the word 'zwilling', which means 'twin'. It is most commonly found among families of German descent, particularly those of Bavarian and Thuringian origin. The name is believed to have originated as an occupational surname, likely given to twin boys who worked in the weaving industry. Over time, it could also have become the hereditary name of a namesake family with two or more twin sons.

The Zwilling surname can be found in many countries, often with variations like Zwillinge or Cwilling. In some cases, the spelling can also indicate that the name is of Jewish origin. It is believed that the surname may have been given to Jewish families as a name change in order to hide from anti-Semitic persecution during the Medieval and Early Modern period.

In modern times, the Zwilling surname is still relatively common and is spread out to families all over the world. In the United States, for example, it is seen as both a German and Jewish name. Today, it is usually seen by those who possess the surname as a proud reminder of their heritage and an interesting connection to the past.

Zwilling: Where does the name Zwilling come from?

The last name Zwilling is German in origin and is common in much of Central and Northern Europe. As of 2020, it is most common in Germany, ranking 60th in the nation with approximately 8,900 people bearing the surname. It is also relatively common in the Netherlands, where it ranks 866th, with 940 individuals.

The name is also popular in some parts of the United States, where it is common mainly among the nation's German-American community. Here it ranks 1,717th and is most widely present in Pennsylvania and the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Ohio. There are also portions of the country in which the name is present, but in few enough numbers to be considered rare, including Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Washington, and California.

Canada, too, has seen a large influx of German immigrants in recent decades, and due to this, the surname Zwilling is increasingly common. According to statistics from 2018, it is the 16,360th most common name in Canada, and the most represented province or territory for the surname is Ontario, where it is the 1,288th most popular.

Given its central European derivation, it is not surprising to find that the surname Zwilling has spread far and wide throughout the Western world. Today, it is common not only in Germany and its surrounding countries, but also in the United States and increasingly in Canada.

Variations of the surname Zwilling

The surname Zwilling is a German surname that originated from the Middle High German word 'zwingen' meaning 'to force' or 'to tie/bind'. The surname Zwilling is also spelled as Zw "lle, Zwillinge, Zwillinger, Z"llner and Zwieiinger.

Variants of the surname Zwilling include Zwillinger, Swilling, Zwillenberg, Zwilinger, Zwinger, Zwingler, Zwingmann, Zwink, Zwinkler and Swink. Zwilling or Zwillinge is the twofold form of the name and it is also used in German-speaking countries.

In other parts of the world, the surname Zwilling has been adapted or anglicized to sound more like familiar names. Variants include Swilling, Swingle, Swanton, Twilling, Willing,ington, Willingson, Twinsen, Twinson and Twinston.

Additionally, due to migration, many descendants of Zwilling families have adopted local variations of the name. Examples include the Swiss variants Zwilfinger or Zwingli, and the French and Belgian variation of Zweiling.

In conclusion, the surname Zwilling can be found with a variety of different spellings and variants, all stemming from the Middle High German word 'zwingen'. Each variation has its own associated history and geographical origination.

Famous people with the name Zwilling

• Julia Zwilling: German singer/Songwriter and producer
• Jon Zwilling: American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker
• Ugo Zwilling: Italian electrical engineer and entrepreneur
• Johann Ludwig Zwilling: Austrian painter
• Hans Zwilling: German classical bassoonist
• Henri Zwilling: Canadian animal behaviorist
• Guido Zwilling: German chemist
• Gerald Zwilling: American computer scientist
• William A. Zwilling: Dean of the University of Florida College of Journalism
• Oskar Zwilling: Austrian actor/director/producer
• Hansjörg Zwilling: Swiss art historian
• Ruth Zwilling: American novelist
• Raymond Zwilling: Dutch film producer
• Jens Zwilling: German ski mountaineer
• Hodiak Zwilling: Polish singer/bassist
• Monika Zwilling: Swiss professor of French literature
• Therese Zwilling: Austrian pianist
• Bartmieu Zwilling: Dutch mandolinist
• Bastiaan Zwilling: Dutch actor
• Konrad Zwilling: Austrian folklore collector

Other surnames

Zwillinger