The surname Shmerzler is a Galician surname and it belongs to the group of the Jewish surnames, which reflect some characteristics, personal features or  properties of its first carriers. Such surnames often appeared first as nicknames to identify the person by his personal qualities, nature or appearance.

“Schmertz” in German means “pain, bitterness, grief”. It is possible the the person who received this surname, was melancholic by his nature.

There is an additional possible version of this surname's origin. The nickname “Schmertz” (sausage maker) in the common language was used as a nickname for Germans. According to this version, Shmertsler is the man who resembles by his nature the representatives of the nation mentioned above, or a man who once lived on German territories.

The surname Shmerzler in the beginning of 19th century was wide spread in town of Galicia such as Stanislavwow, Bogorodchany, etc.

Some owners of this surname immigrated to the US and Israel in the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.