Surname Seiler - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Unexpected: A Journey into Seiler's DNA Heritage with iGENEA

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, I undertook an iGENEA DNA test, keen to explore my ancestral history. Being a Seiler, I assumed a mainly German lineage but was met with astonishing revelations about my Celtic, Baltic, and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. Thus, my journey traced my roots across Europe, telling a saga of migration, adaptation, and resilience, adding more depth to my surname, Seiler.

R. Seiler

Seiler: What does the surname Seiler mean?

The last name Seiler is of German origin and means "rope maker". The name is derived from the Middle High German "seilære," which translates to a rope or cord maker. This is an occupational surname, which was traditionally given to individuals based on their profession. In Middle Ages, rope making was a significant trade, requiring specialist knowledge and skills, and Seilers would have been important members of the community. Over time, the name became hereditary, passed down through the generations. Variations of the surname Seiler can be found in different regions and include Seyler, Seiller, and Zeiler.

Seiler: Where does the name Seiler come from?

The last name Seiler is primarily common today in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; although, there are Seilers present in other countries throughout the world, especially those where German immigration was prevalent, such as Brazil, the United States and South Africa.

In Germany, one-third of all Seilers live in the state of Baden-Württemberg and the city of Munich, with the greatest concentration of the surname found in the southern state. In Switzerland, the Seiler surname is most common in the canton of Zurich, while in Austria it is primarily found in Vienna and its surrounding area such as Lower Austria.

Outside of German-speaking countries, the Seiler surname is erased or transformed more often and the spelling is typically changed to variants of the original name like Seilers, Sellers, Sellars, and Sellersdorf. In the United States, the Seiler surname is most commonly found in the Midwestern states of Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

In Brazil, the Seiler surname is quite widespread due to the country's German immigration history, with notable concentrations in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Lastly, in South Africa, the highest concentration of Seilers can be found in the city of Johannesburg.

Variations of the surname Seiler

The surname Seiler has several variants in spelling and surnames of the same origin. Those variants of Seiler include Seyler, Sealer, Sellers, Seylers, Seilor, Saylor, Saylors, Saylor, Sailer, and Saeler.

The surname Seiler is thought to have French origin and is mainly found in Northern and Central Europe. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "seel" meaning "hook" or "seal," suggesting that the family may have descended from an individual who made objects out of iron or performed some kind of trade involving the use of hooks and seals. The name could also come from the Middle High German word "seler" meaning "to solder."

In Germany, the surname Seiler is the fourth most common name. In the United States, the spelling variations occur mainly in the Midwest, East Coast and Midwest states, in addition to Pennsylvania. Seyler and Saeler are the most common variant forms found in the US, followed by Sealer, Sellers, Seilor, and Sailer.

Due to immigrations over the centuries, the name Seiler and its variant spellings and surnames have been found in many countries across the world, especially countries in Europe, North America and South America. As such, the name is a well-established one with many historical connections and multiple branches of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Seiler

• Theo Seiler: Theo Seiler is a German professional longboard cross skater.
• Malte Seiler: Malte Seiler is an Austrian former footballer who played for the national team.
• Alfred Seiler: Alfred Seiler was an Austrian photographer who achieved acclaim in the late 19th Century.
• Wally Seiler: Wally Seiler was an American football player who was part of the Green Bay Packers during the Vince Lombardi era.
• Lars Seiler: Lars Seiler is a retired German handball player.
• Friedrich Seiler: Friedrich Seiler was a German classical composer and organist.
• Paul Seiler: Paul Seiler was a German sculptor who created a number of works that survive today.
• Franz Seiler: Franz Seiler was a German Baroque period harpsichordist and organist.
• Karl Seiler: Karl Seiler was a German classical violinist who performed at a higher level than many professionals of that time.
• Lorenz Seiler: Lorenz Seiler was an Austrian jet fighter pilot in the Second World War.
• Uwe Seiler: Uwe Seiler is a German chess grandmaster.
• Ernst Seiler: Ernst Seiler was a German violinist and composer who lived and worked in the 19th Century.
• Mehdi Seiler: Mehdi Seiler is a Swiss professional footballer who plays for Basel.
• Joachim Seiler: Joachim Seiler is a German alpine skier and won several medals in the Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

Seile