Belzer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The roots of the distinguished surname Belzer lie in Austria. The name derives itself from "Balthasar," the name of one of the three Magi who followed the star to Bethlehem, and was popular as both a first name and a family name during the 18th century.

Early Origins of the Belzer family

The surname Belzer was first found in Austria, where the name Baltheser was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. The Baldus, Baldes and Baldes were originally pet forms of the variant Balthasar which was the local patron saint and were often found in Rhineland. 1

Early History of the Belzer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Belzer research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1630, 1656, 1659 and 1663 are included under the topic Early Belzer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Belzer Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Belzer include Baltzer, Balthasar, Balthezer, Balthesser, Ballthasar, Balthazar, Ballthezer, Balz (Pomerania), Baltzel and many more.

Early Notables of the Belzer family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Belzer were Thomas Baltzar (1630-1663), a renowned violinist, who achieved fame in London. He was born at Lubeck and settled in England in 1656. "He was the first great violinist that had been heard in England at the time. At the Restoration he...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Belzer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Belzer migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Belzer were

Belzer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Philip Belzer, who arrived in New York in 1709 2

Belzer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Frances Belzer, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1837 2
Franz Belzer, aged 18, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1877 2
Jacob Belzer, aged 16, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1877 2
Susanna Belzer, aged 14, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1877 2
Solomon Belzer, aged 11, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1877 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Belzer (post 1700) +

Richard Jay Belzer (1944-2023), American actor, stand-up comedian, and author, best known for his role as BPD Detective, NYPD Detective/Sergeant, and DA Investigator John Munch on the police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Citations +

Bahlow, Hans (Edda Gentry trns.)Dictionary of German Names Madison, Wisconsin: Max Kade Institute, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-924119-35-7)
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)