The German and Dutch surname Snyder is an occupational name for a tailor, from an agent derivative of the Middle Dutch term  sniden meaning “to cut.” The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that Rotcher Sniter from Greifswald, Germany, in the year 1302.This was during the reign of Emperor Albert 1st of the German Empire, 1298 - 1308.  Today there are approximately 6,000 bearers of the surname Snyder living in The United States. Notable bearers of the surname Snyder include the American writer and environmentalist Gary Snyder and Jacob B. Snyder the 19thCentury American politician. Jacob was born in Osnaburg Township, Stark County, Ohio on July 2nd 1866. Jacob represented Stark County in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1898 to 1902. He died on April 7th 1951.