Surname Saltzer - Meaning and Origin
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Saltzer: What does the surname Saltzer mean?
The last name Saltzer is a German occupational name that is derived from the Middle High German word salzere, which means “salt-seller.” This likely derives from individuals who were salt merchants - either sellers or makers - during a time when salt was a highly prized commodity. Salt was used not only for seasoning food, but was also used as a preservative, since it absorbed moisture that might otherwise spoil food. This lead to salt merchants selling it in shops and markets, as well as importing and exporting it to other countries.
Saltzer is often found in Jewish records, since many Jewish families had careers in the salt trade. In some cases, the Saltzers were bakers and salt-sellers in Germany and the Czech Republic. Perhaps they were also part of a larger salt trading business that specialised in international trade. It is possible that some Saltzers were part of the Jewish diaspora that was caused by the expulsion of Jews from central Europe in the late 15th century.
In general, Saltzer is traditionally associated with an occupation, but it could also be a locational name. In this case, the name could have been derived from someone who lived near a salt-trading activity or a saltworks where salt was manufactured. In either case, Saltzer is a surname that carries with it a rich history of commerce, tradition, and identity.
Order DNA origin analysisSaltzer: Where does the name Saltzer come from?
The surname Saltzer is most commonly found in North America, especially in the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the surname is primarily found in the states of Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and California. Saltzer is also found in many other states, albeit in smaller numbers. The family name is commonly concentrated in the Northeastern and Southern regions of the United States.
In terms of population, Saltzer is the 10,236th most common surname in the United States, with an estimated 10,000 people carrying the name.
In Canada, the surname is much less common and is mainly seen in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. The last name is the 11,603rd most common family name in the country, with only about 700 people carrying it.
The name is also common in other parts of the world, including Europe, particularly in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. It is also seen in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America.
Due to the low population of Saltzer in most of these countries, the family name is primarily seen in North America.
Variations of the surname Saltzer
The Saltzer surname is of German origin, derived from the German occupational surname 'Salzberger'. Occupational surnames are based on the principal work of the ancestor which was traditionally inherited from father to son.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Saltzer include: Salaberger, Salzbarg, Salzberg, Salzberger, Salzburgh, Salzburger, Sandburger, Sandzberger, Saltberger, Saltburger, Saltzberg, and Saltzberger. All of these surnames have evolved from the same root word of 'salz', meaning 'salt'.
Many of the Saltzer and related surnames can be found in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and various parts of Europe. Additionally, it is possible for descendants of European immigrants to use these surnames in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil.
Examples of the Saltzer surname in history include the Salzburger family of Mittenwald, Germany, which has been documented in history since the late seventeenth century. Other distinguished figures with this surname include L. Saltzberger, an Austrian explorer and zoologist; John N. Saltzberger, a US soldier from Indiana who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; and Hugo Saltzberger, the first President of the Technical University of Munich.
The spelling and variations of the Saltzer surname provide invaluable insight into the family's history and cultural heritage, tracing the generations of ancestors who used this name throughout Europe and the world.
Famous people with the name Saltzer
- Dr. Jerome H. Saltzer: American computer scientist who is known for co-authoring the paper "Protection and the Control of Information Sharing in Multi-Access Computer Networks".
- Ann Saltzer: 19th century American opera singer and actress.
- Tad Saltzer: American actor who has starred in various roles since 2001, including on the FX show "Justified".
- Arthur Saltzer: Awakening orchestra conductor who wrote the score for the Academy Award-winning 1993 film "Schindler's List".
- Billy Saltzer: American Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in four games with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1912.
- Jeff Saltzer: American animator whose works have appeared on the hit Nickelodeon show "Rugrats".
- Gretchen Saltzer: American fashion designer who established the Saltzer Design House in 2009.
- Sema Saltzer: German-born Holocaust survivor and author of several books on her experiences.
- Emilie Saltzer: Israeli academic and author who is known for her research on the cognitive, social, and cultural implications of artificial intelligence.
- Peter Saltzer: Swiss snowboarder who won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in the parallel giant slalom.