Surname Zwillinger - Meaning and Origin

Zwillinger: What does the surname Zwillinger mean?

The last name Zwillinger is derived from the German "Zwillinge," which translates to “Twins.” The surname is thought to have come from two closely related families, descended from common ancestors, that lived together near each other in the same community. According to one source, this family is “one of the oldest in Germany.”

The surname Zwillinger is associated with a unique blend of German culture, having been used by a small family of German merchants living in the 16th century. They moved around Europe, eventually settling in what is now Poland.

The Zwillinger family was an important aristocratic family during the feudal era of Europe. They rose to prominence during the Middle Ages, with members earning high positions in the court of various monarchs. They were often highly regarded military officers, and were essential in aiding the Prussian military's growth.

The Zwillinger name is still remembered today for its noteworthy contributions. Even though the family no longer exerts the same degree of influence it once did, their legacy remains in their last name, with those who bear it properly recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of their ancestors.

Zwillinger: Where does the name Zwillinger come from?

The last name Zwillinger is most common today in the United States of America, and specifically in the Midwest region. In 2019, the Social Security Administration revealed that about 0.11% of the US population had the surname Zwillinger, placing it at number 11,827 out of approximately 150,000 possible surnames in America.

Because of migration patterns within the United States, people bearing the surname Zwillinger are more likely to be found in the Midwest than in other areas of the country. For example, some of the highest populations of Zwillingers live in the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, along with Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Additionally, smaller Zwillinger populations can be found in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota.

Moreover, the last name Zwillinger is not exclusive to America. Families from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland have brought the surname to North America, creating a unique multigenerational heritage. While the origin of this surname is uncertain, it is speculated that the name arose from a combination of two German words – “zwilling”, meaning "twin", and “inger”, a suffix that roughly translates to “person from”. Thus, the name may refer to someone from a place the Germans referred to as “der Zwilling”. Today, the surname is spread globally due to undiscerning migrations.

Variations of the surname Zwillinger

The surname Zwillinger is of both German and Swiss origin and can be found in various spellings including Zwilling, Zwillingen, Zwyling, Zwylinger, Zwylingen, Zwillinger, Zwylinger, Zwimger, Zweimger, Zwimgar, Zwimgen and Zwemgen.

The original spelling of the name “Zwillinger” was a derivation from the Old-High-German root “Zwillin”, meaning “a pair of twins”, and the suffix “-inger”, denoting an inhabitant of a place.

The most common surnames that have been derived from this name include Zwilling, Zwiener, Zwickel, Zwigerl, Zwilinger, Zwiltgen, Zwillinger, Zwillenberger, Zwiniger, Zwinkern, Zwippel, Zworflinger, Zwicker, Zwirsinger, Zwirtzinger, Zwinteler and Zwonitzer.

Some of the Italian name variants of this name include Zollinari, Zollinger and Zullinger. Other variants of the name that can be found in France include Zélinger, Zélinger and Zwiliner.

The name is also used as a nickname for twins or brothers in many countries. Amongst the Jews, the name is also known as “Zweig”, meaning “branch”.

In some countries, such as the United States, the surname has been changed to Willinger or Weiner to fit within the American vernacular. These versions of the name have been around since the 18th century and have since become common variants of the name.

Famous people with the name Zwillinger

• Jacob Zwillinger: American professional basketball player
• Paul Zwillinger: American lawyer and government official
• Ed Zwillinger: American film director
• Dr. Daniel Zwillinger: Israeli mathematician
• Jenn Zwillinger: American theater producer and business executive
• Dr. Ruth Zwillinger: Austrian physician
• Mark Zwillinger: American lawyer
• Craig Zwillinger: American entrepreneur and founder of several tech companies
• Nancy Zwillinger: American scientist and array engineer
• Dr. David Zwillinger: American medical doctor and professor at the University of Pennsylvania
• Harold Zwillinger: American inventor and humanitarian
• Richard Zwillinger: Canadian businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
• Ruth Zwillinger: Austrian TV producer and journalist
• Leah Zwillinger: American singer and songwriter
• Samuel Zwillinger: Israeli actor and comedian

Other surnames

Zwilling