Peaked high above us is the Spitzer Berg. What stories could this elevation tell? The Spitzer Berg gets its name from the German word “spitz.” Spitz refers to a field forming a point at one end. The Spitzer Berg is a toponymic surname. It means that the original bearers of this name likely worked or lived on such a piece of land.
The surname Spitzer was first found in Styria. Here, the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiance to nobles and princes of early history. The Spitzer family lent their influence in struggles for political supremacy within the region. They branched into many houses. Some were located in Bavaria. Their allegiance was sought by many leaders in their search for power.
Jordan ab der Spitze in Amberg is an early record dating back to 1364. Liendel im Spitz in Upper Austria appears in records from 1492. Spelling variations of this family name include Spitzl and Spitze. Other variations are Spitzen, Spitz, and Spitzel. Also found are Spitzner, Spitzler, and Spitzeder.
Many members of the Spitzer family settled in the United States. Johann Andreas and Johann Henrich Spitzer both settled in Philadelphia in 1764. August Spitzer settled in Texas in 1850. Gottl Spitzer arrived in New York in 1862 aged 23.
Notable Spitzers include Robert R. Spitzer. He was president of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Frank Ludvig Spitzer was an American mathematician. He made fundamental contributions to probability theory. Lyman Spitzer was an American theoretical physicist and astronomer. He won the National Medal of Science in 1980. Eliot Laurence Spitzer was the 54th Governor of New York. Bernard Spitzer was an American real estate developer and philanthropist.
While we stand here let us consider the people connected to the name Spitzer. Their history is connected to this very ground we stand on. The Spitzer Berg may seem like just a hill. It is more than that. It connects us to centuries of history and countless individuals. This name echoes through time. It links the past to the present. It also provides a connection between families and a geographical area. It is a legacy etched into the landscape.