Find out how popular the last name Speizer is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Speizer.

Speizer, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Speizer surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Speizer in America

Speizer is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Speizer surname appeared 108 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Speizer.

The history of the last name Speizer

The surname Speizer originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in what is now modern-day Germany. The name dates back to the medieval period, with its earliest mentions appearing around the 12th and 13th centuries. Derived from the Middle High German word "Speiz," meaning "grocer" or "spicer," the surname Speizer was likely originally an occupational name given to those who dealt in spices or groceries. Similar spellings include Speiser and Speiz, which also embody the same occupational roots.

Notably, the history of the surname Speizer is connected to the Jewish communities in Germanic territories. Jewish families often adopted such surnames during the periods of surname adoption mandated by various European authorities in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These names were occasionally chosen for their meanings or sounds that bore a relation to the family’s trade or place of origin.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the town records of Mainz from the early 14th century. Here, a Grocer named Heinrich Speiz is mentioned in relation to a commercial dispute. By the 15th century, the name had spread to other regions, appearing in tax records in Bavaria and Alsace.

One prominent historical individual bearing the surname Speizer is Johann Speizer, a noted spice merchant born in 1485 in Augsburg. Johann Speizer’s trade extended throughout the Holy Roman Empire and he was known to have a flourishing business during the early 16th century. His descendants continued the family trade, expanding their influence in the spice industry well into the 17th century.

In the 18th century, another significant figure was Isaac Speizer, a Jewish banker born in 1723 in Frankfurt. Isaac was instrumental in the financial affairs of the region and his banking house played a critical role in supporting various commercial ventures. His contributions to the local economy were widely recognized and his family retained this banking tradition for several generations.

Moving to the 19th century, we encounter David Speizer, born in 1822 in Bavaria. He immigrated to the United States in the 1840s and became a prominent figure in the Jewish community of New York, where he established a successful grocery business. His entrepreneurial spirit ensured that the Speizer name continued to be associated with commerce and trade.

In scientific circles, the name gained recognition through Abraham Speizer, born in 1885 in Vienna. A prominent chemist, Abraham Speizer made significant contributions to organic chemistry, with many published works and numerous patents to his name. His breakthroughs in chemical synthesis were critically acclaimed in the early 20th century.

Lastly, we note the achievements of Bernard Speizer, born in 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts. As a distinguished physician and epidemiologist, Bernard Speizer made groundbreaking contributions to the study of chronic diseases, particularly through his research at the Harvard School of Public Health and his involvement in the Nurses' Health Study, which has profoundly impacted public health policy.

Though the surname Speizer may not be exceedingly common, its history is rich and varied, reflecting the diverse roles that individuals with this name have played in commerce, science, and community life throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Speizer

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Speizer.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Speizer was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Speizer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Speizer, please contact us.

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