Mezger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Bavaria, Germany is the ancestral home of the Mezger family. The Germans began using hereditary surnames in the 12th century. Mezger is an occupational name, which was derived from the kind of work done by the original bearer. It is a name for a butcher. The surname Mezger is derived from the German word metzger, which means butcher.

Early Origins of the Mezger family

The surname Mezger was first found in Bavaria, where the name became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied and enrolled by the princes of the region. Chronicles first mention Burch vor der Mezzje of Zuerich in 1258, and Conrad hinter der Mezzje of Constance in 1259. The literal translation of the name into English would be "butcher" or "meat market." In their later history the family became a power unto themselves, and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into a most influential family.

Early History of the Mezger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mezger research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1623, 1632, 1635, 1637, 1683, 1687, 1701, 1702, 1740 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Mezger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mezger Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Mezger include Metzger, Mezger, Metzeler, Metzler, Mezler and others.

Early Notables of the Mezger family

Prominent among members of the name Mezger in this period include

Joseph Mezger (1635-1683), an Austrian Benedictine of St. Peter's Archabbey, Salzburg
Francis Mezger (1632-1701), an Austrian Benedictine academic and writer, of St. Peter's Archabbey, Salzburg
Paul Mezger (1637-1702), an Austrian Benedictine theologian and academic of St. Peter's Archabbey, Salzburg

Mezger migration to the United States +

German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Mezger surname or a spelling variation of the name include:

Mezger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Mezger, who arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1753 1
Jonas Mezger, who arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1758 1
Markus Mezger, who landed in America in 1782 1

Mezger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Mezger, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1855 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Mezger (post 1700) +

Jeffrey T. Mezger, American businessman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KB Home
Guy Mezger (b. 1968), retired American martial artist
H. Allen Mezger, American Republican politician, Candidate for Maryland State Senate District 13-A, 1970
Friedrich Eduard Mezger (1807-1894), Bavarian architect, painter, professor

Citations +

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)