Valärs Living In Canton of the Grisons, Switzerland. This Swiss district was called Rhaetia during the Roman Empire (15 B.C. - 260 A.D.).  The native inhabitants were of a mixed tribe of Celts and Etruscans. According to Rhaetian Museum in Chur, Valärs family descended from a Rhaetian nobleman named Valerius. See Van Leer's of Europe here.

Kaspar and Christoph von Lähr or sometimes von Lär become gold merchants and members of the Saffron guild in Zürich.

All American Van Leers are descendants of Johann Georg von Löhr (anglicized as “John George Van Leer”–Generation 6) who immigrated to the Penn Colony in 1698. See Van Leer's American branch here.

Samuel Van Leer and all able Van Leers participate in fighting for America's freedom. Samuel was a well known Pennsylvania Irons works owner and a United States Army officer. On outset of the American Revolutionary War, he started a military career with enthusiasm with his neighbor Anthony Wayne in 1775. His furnace supplied cannon and cannonballs for the Revolutionary Army. See more details on Van Leer's during the American Revolution here.

Most Van Leers are recorded as supporting the union or taking a neutral stance by moving to parts of Texas or beyond. See a list of family members and affiliates during the Civil War here. 

Van Leer descendants continued to play an important role in the state of Pennsylvania. Notable members include prominent doctors, famous poets, well sought after lawyers, and a Governor of Pennsylvania. See details on the American Poet Florence Van Leer Earle or the Earle Branch here.