Theodor Zehnter (* 1929), former President of the Bavarian Farmers' Association, District Association of Upper Franconia, and former Senator (awarded on July 4, 1991)
Martin Zeil (* 1956), Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology, Member of the State Parliament (awarded on October 10, 2012)
Karl Zeitler (1943–2013), District Administrator (awarded on July 11, 2008)
Erich Zeitler (1921–2004), Bavarian local politician and member of the state parliament of the SPD
Wolfgang Zeitlmann (* 1941), member of the Bundestag (awarded on July 17, 2003)
Paula Zell (1881–1963), head of the Marien-Ludwig-Ferdinand Children's Home in Munich and founder of the Chrysanthemum Ball (awarded on December 15, 1959)
Theo Zellner (* 1949), District Administrator, President of the Bavarian District Assembly (awarded on July 14, 2005)
Hermann Zenz (1926–2009), member of the state parliament
Karl-Heinz Zerrle (* 1944), State Caritas Director i. R. (awarded on October 10, 2012)
Johannes Zeschick OSB (1932–2013), Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Rohr (resigned) (awarded on July 17, 2003)
Walter Ziegler (* 1937), historian, professor (awarded on July 20, 2011)
Günther Zippel , entrepreneur (awarded on July 12, 2004)