First found in Swabia, where it is thought to have originated. During the Middle Ages, it was common for a new resident of a city to be referred to by the name of his hometown; thus, it is likely that one of the original bearers was a native of the town of Dotzlar who had moved to Swabia. The earliest known bearer of the name was Tötzlin, who lived in this region in 1337. The young Dotzler family played an important role in the history of the region, and was instrumental in the development of medieval Swabian society.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Johan Georg Dotz, who settled in Philadelphia in 1753; John Dotzler, who immigrated to New Jersey in 1846; Jacques Dotzler, who emigrated from Alsace to New York in 1849.

For more information on the last name Dotzler, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.