Last Name Zemel

The surname Zemel is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the Yiddish word "zemel," which means "earth" or "ground." In some cases, it may have been a topographic name for someone who lived on level ground or a metonymic occupational name for a cultivator or tiller of the soil. However, it's important to note that surnames did not become common in Jewish communities until the late Middle Ages, and their origins can often be difficult to trace with certainty due to historical records that are fragmentary or lost.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Zemel

The meaning and origin of the last name Zemel

The surname Zemel is of Jewish origin, specifically Ashkenazi Jewish, and it's believed to have been derived from various geographical locations in Eastern Europe. The name may originate from the town of Czemierniki (now Cherminka) in present-day Belarus or the town of Częstochowa in Poland. In Hebrew, the name could be a variation of the biblical name "Semuel" which means "name of God." The name Zemel gained popularity among Jewish immigrants who settled in various countries during the 19th and 20th centuries. It's now found worldwide within Jewish communities, but is most common in Israel and the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Zemel

The surname Zemel is predominantly distributed across Eastern European countries and Israel, suggesting its Jewish origins. In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania, the surname Zemel is relatively common due to historical Jewish populations in these regions. A significant number of people with the last name Zemel can also be found in Israel, which has a large Jewish population. Additionally, smaller populations of individuals with the surname Zemel can be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, likely due to migration from Eastern Europe during the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Zemel

The surname Zemel has various spelling variations, originating from Jewish and Slavic roots. Some common variants include Zemelman, Zimel, Zimelman, Zimelmane, and Zymel. These variations may arise due to transliteration, assimilation, or phonetic changes during migration. Other less common versions might be Zemlak, Zimol, and Zymeluk, which could also represent different surnames or misspellings. Additionally, there could be regional differences in spelling within the same family line due to cultural influences or historical contexts. For instance, a family originating from Poland may have a slightly different spelling compared to a family of the same name from Russia or Lithuania.

Famous people with the last name Zemel

Notable individuals with the surname Zemel include:

1. Mark Zemel, an American film producer known for his work on television series such as "Gilmore Girls" and "The West Wing." He has also produced several films, including "Sweet Nothing" and "The Perfect Man."

2. Boris Zemtsov-Zemel (also known as Boris Zemtsov), a Russian-born American artist and sculptor who immigrated to the United States in 1948. He is recognized for his contributions to modernist abstract art, particularly his series of geometric sculptures and reliefs.

3. Michael Zemel, an Israeli-American physicist who specializes in quantum optics and quantum information theory. He has made significant contributions to the field, including pioneering work on the subject of quantum entanglement and its potential applications for secure communication.

4. Yakov Zaritsky (also known as Jacob Zaritsky-Zemel), a Russian-born American artist who immigrated to the United States in 1906. He is best known for his landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, which often feature rich colors and expressive brushwork.

5. Daniel Zemel, an Israeli television writer and producer known for creating the popular Israeli drama series "Fauda." The show, which he co-created with Avi Issacharoff, has garnered international acclaim and won numerous awards since its debut in 2015.

Genealogical research on the last name Zemel

The Zemel surname is believed to have originated from Eastern Europe, specifically Poland and Russia. Early records show that the name's variant, Semel, appeared in Poland during the Middle Ages, while the name Zemel emerged in the Russian Empire around the same time. Notable figures with the last name Zemel include Maximillian Alexander Zemel, a mathematician and professor at Yale University, and Robert Zemel, an American author and poet. The name's popularity spread to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe arrived in the country. Genetic testing has revealed that individuals with the surname Zemel share common haplogroups with other Eastern European Jewish families, suggesting a shared ancestry.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Zemel"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends