Seiler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Seiler surname is derived from the German word "seil," meaning "rope," and as such it is thought to have originally been an occupational name for a maker of rope.
Early Origins of the Seiler family
The surname Seiler was first found in Switzerland, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. The name emerged in Bale and in Schaffhausen in Switzerland where they became prominent families.
Early History of the Seiler family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Seiler research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1850 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Seiler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Seiler Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Seiler, Seyler, Sailer, Sayler and others.
Early Notables of the Seiler family
Notables of the time with the surname Seiler were
- the Seiler family of Switzerland
Seiler Ranking
In the United States, the name Seiler is the 4,351st most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Seiler is ranked the 4,473rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2
Seiler migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Seiler Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Hans Seiler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
- Ulrich, Seiler Jr., who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
- Stopfel Seiler, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1749 3
- Peter Seiler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 3
- Jacob Seiler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 3
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Seiler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Johann Seiler, who arrived in Texas in 1845 3
- Jacob Seiler, aged 46, who landed in Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel" 3
- Mrs. Elisa Seiler, (nee Hufaus), aged 46, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel"
- Mr. Wilh. Seiler, aged 20, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel"
- Miss Elisa Seiler, aged 19 German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel"
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Seiler Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Rudolph Seiler, who landed in Arkansas in 1900 3
Seiler migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Seiler Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
- Henrich Seiler, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
Seiler Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
- Jacob Seiler, aged 25, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
- Johannes Seiler, aged 19, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
- Karolina Seiler, aged 18, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
- Maria Seiler, aged 3, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
- Wilhehnina Seiler, aged 20, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Seiler migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Seiler Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Michael Ernest Seiler, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Victoria" 4
Contemporary Notables of the name Seiler (post 1700) +
- Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler (1933-2023), American trial attorney from Savannah, Georgia who had a leading role in the true-crime book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
- Randolph John "Randy" Seiler (1946-2023), American attorney and politician, Chair of the Democratic Party of South Dakota from 2019-2023, 41st United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota from 2015 until his retirement in 2017
- John P. "Jack" Seiler (b. 1963), American politician, mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Lewis Seiler (1891-1963), American film director
- George A. Seiler, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Covington, Kentucky, 1921-29 (acting, 1921) 5
- Mrs. Carl Seiler, American politician, Independent Candidate for Presidential Elector for Georgia, 1972 5
- Major Reinhard Seiler (1909-1989), German Spanish Civil War and World War II Luftwaffe Ace, commander of Jagdgeschwader 104, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Reinhard Seiler, German fighter pilot and flying ace in the Luftwaffe, during World War II, credited with 100 aerial victories, awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- John Seiler Brubacher (1898-1988), American Professor at Yale and author in the field of history and philosophy of education
Citations +
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
- 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)
- State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) VICTORIA 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Victoria.htm
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html