Show ContentsSiler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Siler

What does the name Siler mean?

The Siler surname is derived from the German word "seil," meaning "rope," and as such it is thought to have originally been an occupational name for a maker of rope.

Early Origins of the Siler family

The surname Siler was first found in Switzerland, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. The name emerged in Bale and in Schaffhausen in Switzerland where they became prominent families.

Early History of the Siler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Siler research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1850 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Siler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Siler Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Seiler, Seyler, Sailer, Sayler and others.

Early Notables of the Siler family

More information is included under the topic Early Siler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Siler Ranking

In the United States, the name Siler is the 3,100th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1


Siler migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Siler Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Michael Siler, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 2
  • Robert Siler, who landed in Virginia in 1639 2
Siler Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Elias Siler, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 2
Siler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Barbara Siler, aged 18, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1805 2
  • John Siler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1833 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Siler (post 1700) +

  • Howard Banford Siler Jr. (1945-2014), American bronze medalist bobsledder at the 1969 World Championships
  • Ronald Siler (b. 1980), American Olympic boxer
  • Colonel Joseph Franklin Siler MD (1875-1960), U.S. Army physician and dengue researcher
  • Howard Siler (b. 1945), American Olympic bobsledder
  • Eugene Siler (1900-1987), American politician
  • Brandon Siler (b. 1985), American NFL football linebacker
  • Admiral Owen Wesley Siler (b. 1922), served as the fifteenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1974 to 1978
  • Salima Siler Marriott, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1988; Member of Maryland State House of Delegates District 40, 2001 3


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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