Ziegler

Ziegler is a German surname of occupational origin. It derives from the Middle High German word ziegel, meaning tile, and was traditionally given to a tile maker or tile dealer. The name has since spread beyond German-speaking regions, and it is now found in many countries with German heritage or immigration. Variants and spelling variations can occur, but Ziegler remains the common form.

In addition to its use as a family name, Ziegler appears in historical and contemporary contexts across Europe and North America, reflecting patterns of migration and cultural diffusion. The name is most often encountered in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with notable presence in communities around the world.

Notable people with the surname include Karl Ziegler (1898–1973), a German chemist who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963 with Giulio Natta for their work on polymerization catalysts. He is associated with the development of the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, a catalytic system used to produce stereoregular polymers, which significantly impacted polymer chemistry and materials science. Another bearer is Günter Ziegler, a German mathematician known for his work in geometry and related areas.

Ziegler is also used in various academic and industrial terms associated with these and other individuals bearing the name. The surname continues to be recognized for its historical link to craftsmanship and its association with contributions in science and mathematics.