Surname Selzsam - Meaning and Origin
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Selzsam: What does the surname Selzsam mean?
The last name Selzsam is a Germanic surname with Rhineland-Palatine roots. It is derived from the Middle German word “selzen”, meaning “to season” or “to salt”. This indicates that the family likely one of the many salt merchants in the area during the middle ages.
The Selzsam surname was most common in the 1600s and 1700s in the Palatinate region of Germany, as well as in the Netherlands. By the 1800s, the Selzsams had spread throughout Germany, and even began to move throughout Europe and even the United States.
The Selzsam’s participate in trade, farming, and service industries as well as professions such as medicine, law, and education. During the last century, the rise of technology has allowed members of the Selzsam family to explore and succeed in a variety of interests.
Today, the Selzsam surname appears in many places throughout the world. As one of the oldest German surnames, it has a rich and deep history of having been passed from generation to generation. Those bearing the surname Selzsam can be proud to be a part of such a prestigious family.
Order DNA origin analysisSelzsam: Where does the name Selzsam come from?
The last name Selzsam is an uncommon name in many countries. However, it is most commonly found in Germany, specifically in the south-eastern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. It is believed to be an occupational surname as its literal translation is ‘salt merchant’. It is believed that its German roots can be traced to the early Middle Ages.
In the United States, this name is quite rare but may be found in some areas of the country, notably in the east coast states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and some Midwestern states. Its presence is likely due to the large influx of German immigrants that came to the US during the 19th and early 20th century.
In Canada, the last name Selzsam is quite rare as well. It is most commonly found in the western provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.
It certainly is not as common as the last name Smith or Johnson, but for those carrying this surname, it is quite a unique and distinctive one. It is a reminder of the family’s history and strengthens their heritage.
Variations of the surname Selzsam
The surname Selzsam is most commonly found in Germany. It is thought to become derived from the medieval personal name "Seliz", an abbreviated form of the name "Adalseliz". Other variants of this surname include Selzam, Zelzam, Schelzem, Selssam, Sellzam, Sellzem, Scelzam, Scelzem, Zelzsam, Zelssam, and Sellsche.
Spelling variations of the surname include Selzsam, Sellzsam, Zelzsam, Scelzsam, and Scelzsam. These spelling and surname variant's can be found throughout modern Germany, and even in the United States.
The variant surnames Schelzem and Sellsche are derived from the same origin as Selzsam, though they have slightly different meaning. The Schelzem surname was originally used as a name for someone who was of a lower stature or of lesser blood, and the Sellsche surname was originally used to refer to someone who belonged to a particular family of noble origin.
The variant surnames of Selzsam are sometimes also used as nicknames or adjectival forms. These forms are Selzsamer, Sellzsamer, Zelzsamer, Scelzsamer, and Sellschemer. These variants all have the same root meaning as Selzsam, but they are slightly different in their usage.
In addition to the multiple variant spellings, suffixes can also be used to create different surnames of the same origin. These include the suffixes -man, -mann, -frau, and -weis. By adding these suffixes to the base word Selz, resulting surnames such as Selzmann, Selzfrau, Selzweis, and Selzman can be formed.
Overall, there are many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the Selzsam surname. These variants can be found in modern Germany and also in the United States and they provide insight into the history and origin of the surname.
Famous people with the name Selzsam
- Shiloh Selzsam: is an American actress best known for her roles in TV shows such as One Tree Hill, Glee, and Private Practice.
- Harry Selzsam: is a New York-based actor, appearing in television shows such as Under the Dome, The Blacklist, and Supernatural.
- Eric Selzsam: is an American author known for writing fiction, essays and short stories. His recent works include the novel “Fiasco Creek” and “The Institute of Perfection”.
- Charles Selzsam: is an American photographer, known for his work in documentary photography and his contributions to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
- Judith Selzsam: is an American film producer, specialising in comedies such as “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up”.
- Bill Selzsam: is a retired American football player, best known for his tenure as a tight end with the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Max Selzsam: is an American visual artist, whose work has been exhibited in various galleries across the United States, as well as in Europe.
- Jane Selzsam: is an American politician, originally from Oregon. She served on the Oregon House of Representatives from 2011-2013.
- Milena Selzsam: is a Russian classical pianist, active since the early 1990s. Her recordings include classical works by composers such as Schumann, Bach, and Chopin.
- Geoffrey Selzsam: is a British actor, best known for his stage roles in productions of “The Tempest”, “Romeo and Juliet”, and “Hamlet”.