| ![Show Contents]() Retzer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The name may be of patronymic origin, derived from the first name of the father. The name Retzer would indicate the "son of Retzer," a pet form of either Richard or Heinrich. The personal name Richard is derived from the Old High German word "rihhi" meaning power or rule, and "hardus" meaning hard, brave, or strong. Heinrich comes from either the Old High German word "hagan" meaning enclosure or hedged in place or "heim or haim" meaning home or settlement. The second part derived from "rihhi." The name may also be of locative origin, from a geographical feature near where the bearer once lived or held land. The toponym Retzer is derived from the Old High German word "hriot" meaning reeds, and thus the name would indicate "one who dwelled near a reedy or swampy place. Early Origins of the Retzer familyThe surname Retzer was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. The earliest record of the surname Retzer dates back to the thirteenth century when one Marquard Rizi was recorded in Lindau in 1276. In 1385 one Jakob Ritsch was living in Nydau and Joh. Ritzi was a choirmaster in Constance in 1423. Early History of the Retzer familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Retzer research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1604 and 1826 are included under the topic Early Retzer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Retzer Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Ritz, Ritzel, Ritzenberg, Ritze, Ritzen, Ritzer and many more. Early Notables of the Retzer familyMore information is included under the topic Early Retzer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Retzer migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Retzer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Charles Retzer, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1878 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name Retzer (post 1700) | + |
- Kenneth Leo "Ken" Retzer (1934-2020), American Major League Baseball catcher catcher for the Washington Senators from 1961 to 1964
- Michael Lynn Retzer, American politician and diplomat, United States Ambassador to Tanzania from 2005-2007
- George Retzer (1883-1979), American featherweight wrestler at the 1912 Summer Olympics
- Michael Retzer (b. 1946), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Mississippi, 2004, 2008; U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, 2005-07 2
- Stephan Retzer (b. 1976), German professional ice hockey defenceman
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Retzer migration to the United States 
