| ![Show Contents]() Zettel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The ancestral home of the Zettel family is in the German state of Bavaria. The name Zettel is an occupational hereditary surname, a type of surname that was taken from a word describing or common to the profession of the original bearer. It is a name for a person who held a position of high prestige and may have been a courier or a diplomat. The name Zettel is derived from the German word "zedel," which means "drawing up" or "dispatching." It is also possible that the original bearer of the name Zettel was involved in the judiciary, or in the drawing up of legal documents. Early Origins of the Zettel familyThe surname Zettel was first found in Bavaria, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Chronicles first mention Merten Zettelschreiber of Altburg in 1560. Early History of the Zettel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zettel research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1882 is included under the topic Early Zettel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Zettel Spelling VariationsIn the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Zettel include Zettel, Zettle, Zettl, Zettels, Zettler, Zedel and others. Early Notables of the Zettel familyMore information is included under the topic Early Zettel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Zettel migration to the United States | + |
The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:
Zettel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Jacob Zettel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733
Zettel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Frederick Zettel, who arrived in Georgia in 1856
| Contemporary Notables of the name Zettel (post 1700) | + |
- Louis A. Zettel, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 6th District, 1934 1
- Charlene Zettel (b. 1947), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 2004 1
- Kathrin Zettel (b. 1986), Austrian alpine skier
| Historic Events for the Zettel family | + |
Bismarck - Werner Zettel (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 2
- Mr. German Zettel (1901-1937), German Chief Mechanic from Buchschlag, Hessen, Germany, who worked on board the Hindenburg LZ-129 and survived the Airship Fire 3
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Zettel migration to the United States 
