Show ContentsSpitzer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

This surname finds its roots in the German word "spitz," which refers to a field forming a point at one end. As such, the name is classed as a toponymic surname, meaning the original bearers of this name no doubt worked or lived on such a piece of land.

Early Origins of the Spitzer family

The surname Spitzer was first found in Styria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for political supremacy within the region. They branched into many houses, some located in Bavaria, and their allegiance was sought by many leaders in their search for power. Early records of the name show Jordan ab der Spitze in Amberg in 1364; as well as Liendel im Spitz in Upper Austria in 1492.

Early History of the Spitzer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spitzer research. Another 194 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1723, 1756 and 1783 are included under the topic Early Spitzer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spitzer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Spitzl, Spitzer, Spitze, Spitzen, Spitz, Spitzel, Spitzner, Spitzler, Spitzeder and many more.

Early Notables of the Spitzer family

More information is included under the topic Early Spitzer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spitzer Ranking

In the United States, the name Spitzer is the 5,521st most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


Spitzer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Spitzer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johann Andreas and Johann Henrich Spitzer, who both settled in Philadelphia in 1764
  • Johann Andreas and Johann Heinrich Spitzer, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1764
  • Johann Andreas Spitzer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1764 2
  • Johann Henrich Spitzer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1764 2
Spitzer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Franz Spitzer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1800 2
  • August Spitzer, who settled in Texas in 1850
  • August Spitzer, who landed in Texas in 1850-1906 2
  • Gottl Spitzer, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1862 2
  • Gottl Spitzer, who settled in New York in 1862
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Spitzer (post 1700) +

  • Robert R. Spitzer (1922-2019), American agricultural researcher, President of MSOE (1977–1991)
  • Robert Leopold Spitzer (1932-2015), American psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry at Columbia University in New York City
  • Eliot Laurence Spitzer (b. 1959), American lawyer, political commentator and former Democratic Party politician, 54th Governor of New York (2007-2008)
  • Bernard Spitzer (b. 1924), American real estate developer and philanthropist
  • Todd Spitzer, American politician, former California State Assemblyman (2002-2008)
  • Robert R. Spitzer, American president of the Milwaukee School of Engineering from 1977 to 1991
  • Frank Ludvig Spitzer Ph.D. (1926-1992), American mathematician who made fundamental contributions to probability theory, member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • Lyman Spitzer (1914-1997), American theoretical physicist and astronomer, winner of many awards and medals, including the National Medal of Science in 1980
  • Jack Spitzer, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Washington, 2000 3
  • Jack Spitzer, American politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 15th District, 1944 3
  • ... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Spitzer +

  • All Our Yesterdays by Evelyn Spitzer Drinnen.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook