Surname Silzer - Meaning and Origin
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Silzer: What does the surname Silzer mean?
The last name Silzer likely originated in Germany, and it is derived from the German word silz meaning "willow bush". The surname was most likely originally an occupational name for someone who lived near a willow bush or used its wood for a trade or craft. The use of the willow tree for wood is recorded in Germanic history since the Middle Ages, so the surname Silzer may have been in existence throughout that period.
With the movement of people throughout Europe, it is probable that the surname Silzer was carried over to many countries including the United States. In the United States, the surname is most concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania and New York, but it can also be found in other states such as Oklahoma and California.
The surname Silzer is associated with other possible variations and spellings, including the Germanic Zilzer, Sylzer, and Zylzer. Other spellings in other countries may include the Russian Sulzer, the Slovenian Selzer and the Swedish Zilser.
The Silzer name is uncommon but can contain people of varied occupations and backgrounds. Some of these professions can range from designers, engineers, physicians, and educators to artists, inventors, and technicians. Some notable people with this name include actor Al Silzer, writer Sid Silzer, and German jurist-politician Victor Zilzer, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisSilzer: Where does the name Silzer come from?
The last name Silzer is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe. Records exist of persons bearing the name as far back as 1253 in the County of Nassau, Germany. It is also regularly found in Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Austria. In the United States, the population of Silzers is estimated to be around 2,500. Many emigrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coming mainly from Germany and parts of Eastern Europe. The majority of them settled in major cities along the east coast, specifically Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland.
Today, Silzers can still be found living in Germany and the United States. A considerable number of them have also branched out and reside in many other parts of North and South America, Australia, and even South Africa. The surname is also prevalent in Canada, stationed mostly in parts of Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.
The record of persons with the surname Silzer can still be found in many countries across the world, with many now living in places outside their country of origin.
Variations of the surname Silzer
The surname Silzer is of German origin and is thought to have been derived from the German personal name Silzo (the form given in Latin charters) or Zilzo. The earliest recorded use of the surname dates back to 1272 in Germany, when Henricus Zilzo, a witness in a court proceeding in 1272 in Berlin, was recorded.
Today, the surname Silzer can be found all over the world, but is still most common in Germany. It is most often spelled Silzer, but can also be found written as Zilzer, Zilcer, Silcer, Zilcer, Silcer, Zilzers, and Sylzaer. There are also variants of the name, such as Sillzer, Silznau, Sylcher and Stayzer.
Surnames with similar origins, such as Selzer and Zelzer, can often be found in German speaking areas. These two surnames are thought to be derived from the personal name Selo, which is similar to the personal name Silzo. The spelling variations of Selzer include Selcer, Sellzer, Seltzer, Zelcer, Zelzer, and Zeltzer.
Overall, there is quite a wide range of spellings and surname variants for the surname Silzer.
Famous people with the name Silzer
- Walter Silzer: Former Governor of the Federal State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany from 1998 to 2005.
- Robert S. Silzer: Author and distinguished Professor of Human Resources Management, specializing in Talent Management and Executive Assessment.
- Ruth Silzer: Swiss operatic soprano who had a successful career in Europe during the first half of the twentieth century.
- Jack Silzer: American silent film actor known for The Mark of Zorro (1920) and The Stronger Will (1917).
- Mauricio Silzer: Brazilian mural artist, illustrator, and contemporary portrait painter.
- Leonard Silzer: Notable Jewish-American rabbi who served as the rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was later appointed as the first chief rabbi of the Rabbinical College at Yeshiva University in 1926.
- Sarah Silzer: British rising artist and sculptor specializing in clay pinch pot sculptures and figurative ceramic art.
- Iván Silzer: Argentine football player notable for his time with the Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Primera Division Argentina, and later for his work as a coach.
- Tim Silzer: Graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and founder of the Silzer Law Group specializing in high-stakes corporate litigation.
- Martin Silzer: German Anti-Nazi and university teacher known as one of the martyrs of the Euthanasia program in Nazi Germany and one of the early victims of the Holocaust.