Surname Vozmiller - Meaning and Origin
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Vozmiller: What does the surname Vozmiller mean?
The last name Vozmiller is a German surname originating from medieval times. It translates to “one who speaks,” deriving from the Middle High German words “voz” (voice) and “mueller” (miller). The term “miller” was traditionally used to refer to a person who operated mills or ran a gristmill. This would suggest the original meaning of Vozmiller was "talkative miller".
As such, the Vozmiller name likely originated from individuals who were known for their loquaciousness or tendency to talk at great length. This could have been an admired trait in some circles, such as the professions of milling and millwrights, as well as for the guilds and businesses of trading and merchantry.
The Vozmiller surname can be found in numerous records across multiple countries over the last few centuries. This includes Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Documented mentions of the name go as far back as the late 16th century in Germany, with the first known family members recorded in the mid-17th century.
The historical members and descendants of the Vozmiller family have occupied many professions, ranging from farming to arts to the military. It is believed that the Vozmiller name is also connected to the famous singer and actress Marlene Dietrich.
Today, the surname remains a common one in Germany and other parts of the world where it has spread. The original meaning of the Vozmiller name continues to live on living on in its bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisVozmiller: Where does the name Vozmiller come from?
The last name Vozmiller is most common in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern states. In the 2000 U.S. Census, Vozmiller was most common in North Dakota, followed by Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. The surname is believed to be of German origin, derived from “Voßmüller,” which means “pot-maker.”
Today, Vozmiller is still most heavily concentrated in the Midwest. According to the latest U.S. Census, Vozmiller is most common in Minnesota, followed by North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The largest population of Vozmillers is found in Wisconsin, with over 1,500 individuals carrying the name in the state. South Dakota follows with around 1,000 individuals, and North and Minnesota are close behind with 800 and 500 Vozmillers, respectively.
The Vozmiller name has spread beyond just the Midwest, however. Smaller populations of Vozmillers can be found scattered throughout states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. There are even a few Vozmillers located in California, mainly near the Bay Area.
The Vozmiller name lives on in these states, as does the German heritage that gave rise to it. The name has changed over generations, as many immigrants adopted Americanized variants such as “Vossmiller,” “Vosmiller,” and “Vos.” However, the original spelling remains present in many areas, providing evidence of the origins of the name and those who bear it.
Variations of the surname Vozmiller
The surname Vozmiller has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. The most common variant is Väzmiller, which is native to some areas of East and Central Europe. In other areas, the surname is spelled Vozmillers, Voesmiller, Vösmiller, and Vesmiller. Additionally, the surname has been wildly Anglicized, so in the US, it is sometimes seen spelled Wasmillers, Wassmiller, or Wozmiller. Several other surnames, including Wasmer, Wasmuth, Wasmiller, Wassner, Wasser, and Wasservogel, are also believed to derived from Vozmiller.
In Central Europe, some Vozmiller families have adopted surnames derived from the term Vogelmiller, which literally means “bird” (vogel) and “miller”. In this case, the surname likely references a person associated with a milling job such as grinding flour or sawing timber, though some experts contend that the name could also refer to a person who made bird feed.
In the United States, German immigrants anglicized their last names, so the surname Vozmiller might take other forms, such as Wasmoot, Wassmuth, Wozmoot, and Wozmiller. In addition, some people might spell the name with a double s, as in Wasssmiller or Wasssmooth.
The surname Vozmiller is also common in East and Central European countries such as Slovakia, Serbia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia. For instance, the Slovakian form of the surname is Vozmíl and the Polish version is Wozmiller.
In short, the surname Vozmiller has many variants in numerous countries, and numerous surnames are found in different regions that could be the Anglicized version of the surname. This surname is especially common in East and Central Europe, but it has been Anglicized in other areas, so it is advisable to research other potential surnames when conducting genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Vozmiller
- Mary Vozmiller: professional golfer born in 1938
- Christopher Vozmiller: professional boxer from Austria
- Ernest Vozmiller: Green Beret in the Vietnam War
- Ekaterina Vozmiller: Russian actress
- Paul Vozmiller: American businessman and philanthropist
- Pavel Vozmiller: Czech classical and opera composer
- Wilfred Vozmiller: American war correspondent
- Susan Vozmiller: German ballet dancer
- Charles Vozmiller: American aerospace engineer
- Donny Vozmiller: Professional wrestler