Seltzer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

During the Middle Ages, the surname of Seltzer was used in Germany. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in Germany, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. Many people, such as the Seltzer family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Seltzer was an occupational name for a person who sold or extracted salt. A variety of similar German surnames are derived from the Old German word "salt," meaning "salt."

Early Origins of the Seltzer family

The surname Seltzer was first found in the ancient province of Thuringia, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Seltzer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Seltzer research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1716 and 1845 are included under the topic Early Seltzer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Seltzer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Selzer, Seltzer, Saelzer, Saeltzer, Saltzer and others.

Early Notables of the Seltzer family

Prominent bearers of the family name Seltzer at this time were Johann Edmund Selzer von Herbissheim, who was a lieutenant general in the Austrian army and was knighted in 1716 for his outstanding...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Seltzer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Seltzer Ranking

In the United States, the name Seltzer is the 7,792^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Seltzer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Seltzer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Seltzer, who sailed to Philadelphia in 1729
Nicklaus Seltzer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
Weirich Seltzer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
Johannes Seltzer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 2
Johann Martin Seltzer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Seltzer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Benjamin Seltzer, who settled in Philadelphia in 1816
John Seltzer, who arrived in Maryland in 1849 2
Isaac Seltzer, who landed in Texas in 1850-1906 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Seltzer (post 1700) +

Jerry Seltzer (1932-2019), American second and final owner of the original Roller Derby league
Drew Seltzer (b. 1981), American multiple award winning actor, known for The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009), Trevor's in Heaven (2006) and Leaving Circadia (2014)
Eric Seltzer, American actor, known for The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Redirecting Eddie (2008) and Cavalcade (2001)
David Seltzer (b. 1940), American Writers Guild of America Award and two-time Humanitas Award winning winning screenwriter, known for The Omen (1976), The Omen (2006) and My Giant (1998)
Leon Zee Seltzer (b. 1914), American aeronautical engineer, head of the Aeronautical Engineering Department at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1941-1949)
Walter Seltzer (1914-2011), American film producer, knownfor his work on Soylent Green (1973), The Omega Man (1971) and One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
Leo Seltzer (1903-1978), American creator of the sport Roller Derby
Aaron Seltzer (b. 1974), Canadian writer and producer, known for his work on Scary Movie (2000), Disaster Movie (2008) and Meet the Spartans (2008)

Historic Events for the Seltzer family +

Triangle Waist Company

Mr. Jacob Seltzer (b. 1878), Russian Jewish garment worker who was working at Triangle Waist Company factory at the Asch building in Greenwich Village on the 25th March 1911 when fire broke out; he died in the fire 3

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (retrieved on 3rd August 2021.) Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire