Setzer
A German surname most often linked to an occupier name, likely for a setter or compositor, though the exact sense can vary by region.
The #6,825 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 62,499 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Setzer is a German surname built from the verb *setzen*, meaning “to set,” “place,” or “put.” As a family name, it most likely began as an occupational term for someone who set type, arranged things, or had another job involving placing or fixing objects. In some cases, surnames of this form can also overlap with words for a setter or someone who establishes something, so the exact nuance may vary by locality.
History
The name is found in German-speaking areas and was carried to North America through later German migration. Like many occupational surnames, it became hereditary after first describing a person’s trade or function. The modern US spelling is usually unchanged, though related German surnames can appear in slightly different forms in older records.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In German, *Setzer* can also mean “typesetter,” which makes it one of the surnames that fits neatly into the world of old printing trades.
From the historical record
“des Tier. Nach ihm hat der älteste Schriftsteller unserer Literatur den Namen: Vulßla (ülfila, Wolf lein), der westgotische Bischof und Bibelüber- setzer aus dem 4. Jahrhundert. Ganz besonders häufig ist der Name des Wolfes als zweiter Teil der Zusammensetzung in der abgeschliffenen Form täf (olf): Aihaulf…”
— Die deutschen Familiennamen