Zimmermann

Zimmermann is a German surname derived from the occupation of a carpenter. The root terms Zimmer and Mann indicate a man who works with wood, typically within the guild system. Historically, Zimmermänner built or repaired wooden structures and, in earlier centuries, some traveled as journeymen to learn the trade.

The name remains common in German-speaking regions and among the diaspora. A common English-language variant is Zimmerman, often without the second “n.” Other spellings may appear in different countries, but the form Zimmermann reflects the original German spelling.

Notable uses of the name include Arthur Zimmermann (1864–1940), a German diplomat and Foreign Secretary during World War I. The Zimmermann Telegram, a 1917 diplomatic message attributed to him, proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico and helped influence the course of the war in public opinion.

In general, Zimmermann is a widely distributed surname with origins in an important traditional craft. It is carried by many individuals across various fields, and, like many German surnames, it has many bearers in regions beyond its linguistic origins.