Holzer Family History

German (also Hölzer): topographic name for a forest dweller from Middle High German holz ‘wood copse’ (see Holz) + the -er suffix denoting an inhabitant. This surname (in any of possible meanings; see also 2 and 3 below) is also found in France (Alsace and Lorraine), Czechia, and Poland.

German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) (also Hölzer): occupational name for a woodcutter or someone who sold wood from an agent derivative of German Holz ‘wood’. German (Hölzer): habitational name for someone from any of various places called Holz.

Compare Helzer, Hoelzer, and Holtzer. In some cases also a Germanized form of Slovenian Holcer or of its rare variant Holcar: topographic name for a forest dweller or occupational name for a woodman of German origin (see above).

It is often applied as a translation into German of Slovenian cognate surnames such as Lesnik and Lesar.