Surname Seltzer - Meaning and Origin

Seltzer: What does the surname Seltzer mean?

The surname Seltzer is of Jewish Ashkenazic origin, deriving from the Yiddish term "Zeltser." It refers to a person originating from the town of Selters in the Westerwald region of Germany, which was well-known for its salt mines. Temporarily, Selters was also recognized for its natural sparkling water that was exported to several countries under the same name "Selters" until it became synonymous with sparkling water. The name Seltzer basically translates to "salt" or "salt water" according to its etymology, signifying the occupation or geographical location of the original bearers of this surname. Specifically, it was likely used to identify those who worked in the salt mines or the mineral water industry in Selters. Like many Ashkenazic Jewish surnames, Seltzer became a way to create a sense of identity, especially for those who migrated to different parts of the world.

Seltzer: Where does the name Seltzer come from?

The last name Seltzer is a fairly common name in many parts of the world. It is of German origin and is derived from the German word "seltz," meaning "carbonated water." The name is found primarily in German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also present throughout the United States, particularly in the northeast and midwest, although it is becoming increasingly common in other regions as well.

In the United States, Seltzers are most numerous in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. It is the 47th most common surname according to the US Census. It is also very common in Israel, where it is the 40th most common name. In the United Kingdom, it is the 611th most common last name and is present in England, Scotland, and Wales. The name is also present in Canada, Australia, North and South Africa, and other countries around the world.

In many places with populations of Germanic, Jewish, and other non-English descent, the surname Seltzer is often associated with Jewish families. The name is both a German occupational name, as well as a Jewish surname. In a Jewish context, it is often derived from the word “soltzer," meaning “overseer.” This surname was most often prevalent in Europe during the medieval ages.

Regardless of its origin, today the last name Seltzer is quite common around the world and continues to be a recognizable name in many parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Seltzer

The surname Seltzer has variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Selzer, Seltz, Zeltzer, Zeltz, Zelzer, Zeltzer, Zeltzman, Selzman and Zelzman.

The surname Seltzer is derived from the Middle High German verb 'selzen', which means 'to boil'. This refers to the origin of the surname when it was first given to those who produced seltzer water. This is mineral-rich, carbonated water which was created by boiling certain mineral salts in water.

Originally from Germany, the name can be found in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. In the United States, the surname could have come about through recorder errors or intentional changes to the spelling by the first settlers to America.

The Seltzer surname is also found in Jewish names. It could have been altered from Germanic 'zeltzer' to 'zeltzman', which means 'yellow', in the Yiddish language. Alternatively, it could have been changed from 'seltzer' as a way to mark a person as possessing a trade or having a particular occupation.

In conclusion, Seltzer is a surname of German origin with variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, such as Selzer, Seltz, Zeltzer, Zeltz, Zelzer, Zeltzer, Zeltzman, Selzman and Zelzman. It is likely that the name has been changed to reflect a trade or occupation, or could have come about through recorder errors or intentional changes to the spelling of the name by settlers coming to the United States.

Famous people with the name Seltzer

• Sy Seltzer: American television executive
• Robert Seltzer: European American journalist and co-founder of the Maariv newspaper
• Chris Seltzer: American singer songwriter
• Aaron Seltzer: American screenwriter and film director
• Herb Seltzer: American jazz composer and singer
• Emil Seltzer: German Expressionist painter
• Milda Seltzer: Chilean anthropologist and sociologist
• Manuel Seltzer: Argentinian philosopher and writer
• Arthur Seltzer: American screenwriter
• Jack Seltzer: Canadian entertainment lawyer

Other surnames

SeltzSeltzsam