Metzger Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Bavaria, Germany is the ancestral home of the Metzger family. The Germans began using hereditary surnames in the 12th century. Metzger 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 Metzger is derived from the German word metzger, which means butcher.

Metzger Early Origins

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The surname Metzger 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.

Metzger 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 Metzger include Metzger, Mezger, Metzeler, Metzler, Mezler and others.

Metzger Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Metzger research. Another 199 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1740, 1623, 1687, 1635, 1683, 1632, 1701, 1637, 1702 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Metzger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Metzger Early Notables (pre 1700)

Prominent among members of the name Metzger in this period include Georg Balthasar Metzger (1623-1687), a German physician and scientist, one of the four founding members of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in Schweinfurt; Joseph Mezger (1635-1683), an Austrian Benedictine of St. Peter's Archabbey, Salzburg; Francis Mezger (1632-1701)...

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Metzger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

Between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries, German settlers arrived in North America by the thousands. Persecution based on religion and poverty were great motivators in this large-scale migration. So too was the opportunity for tenant farmers to own their own land. Ample land and opportunity awaited the settlers who went to such states as Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, as well as Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Metzger or a variant listed above:

Metzger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Philip Metzger and Johan Metzger, both of whom emigrated with their wives and children to England and/or America in 1709
George Metzger, aged 34, arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1742
David Metzger, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1750
Philip Metzger, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1754
Valentin Metzger, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1764
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Metzger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Abraham Metzger, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1806
Theobald Metzger, aged 29, landed in Missouri in 1842
Peter Metzger, who arrived in Galveston, Tex in 1845
Anton Metzger, who landed in Galveston, Tex in 1845
Friederich Metzger, who landed in Galveston, Tex in 1846
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Metzger Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Simon Metzger, who arrived in Alabama in 1919

Contemporary Notables of the name Metzger (post 1700)

Brigadier-General Earl Harrison Metzger (1889-1972), American Commanding Officer 76th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade, Caribbean (1943-1945)
Roger Henry Metzger (b. 1947), American Major League Baseball shortstop
Sol S. Metzger (1880-1932), American football player, coach of football and basketball
William Ernest Metzger (1868-1933), American automotive pioneer, co-founder of the E-M-F Company, an early American automobile manufacturer
Clay Metzger, American Democrat politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 1932
Charles J. Metzger, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 23rd District, 1924; Chair of Fayette County Republican Party, 1950
C. E. Metzger, American Democrat politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alaska Territory, 1956
Bruce A. Metzger, American Democrat politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 6th District, 1928
Andrew Custer Metzger (b. 1873), American Republican politician, Member of Illinois Republican State Central Committee, 1925, 1941; Delegate to Illinois convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933
D. Jack Metzger, American Republican politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for California, 1940
... (Another 30 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Metzger Family Crest Products

Citations

Other References

Bahlow, Hans. Abhandlungen zur Namenforschung und Buchgeschichte. 1980. Print. (ISBN 978-3768690522).
Gritzner, M. Handbuch der heraldischen Terminologie in zwölf Zungen. Nürnberg: 1890. Print.
Filby, P. William and Mary K Meyer. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index in Four Volumes. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8).
Gottschald, Max. Deutsche Namenkunde unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung. München: J.F. Lehmanns Verlag, 1932. Print.
Matthews, John. Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. London: John Matthews, 1911. Print.
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8).
Haverkamp, Alfred. Medieval Germany 1056-1273 2nd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print.
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann. Deutches Namenbuch. Stuttgart: Verlag von Adolf Bonz & Comp, 1928. Print.
Karlsruhe. Badisches Generallandesarchiv Baden Emigration lists 1866-1911. Salt Lake City: Microfilm of Card Index by the Genealogical Society of Utah. Print.
Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Galveston Texas 1896-1951. National Archives Washington DC. Print.
...

The Metzger Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Metzger Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 10 September 2016 at 02:43.