Surname Alswede - Meaning and Origin
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Alswede: What does the surname Alswede mean?
The last name Alswede is of German origin and is derived from the Old German name "Alswith," meaning "all wise." This surname was likely given to someone who was very knowledgeable or respected in the community. In the Middle Ages, many surnames were based on the personal characteristics of individuals, such as a person's physical appearance, abilities, or occupation.
The Alswedes are also associated with several places in Germany, including several villages and a castle in the state of Saxony. The Alswede Castle was the ancestral home of the Alswede family, located in the Harz Mountains. The castle was built circa 1235 and is now a tourist attraction.
The name Alswede is not very common, but it does appear in some variations in both Germany and the United States. In the United States, it is most prevalent in the states of Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
The name Alswede is associated with a sense of intelligence and wisdom and a connection to history that many still feel today. It is a traditional name with a long history and carries with it a sense of old-world heritage and pride.
Order DNA origin analysisAlswede: Where does the name Alswede come from?
The last name Alswede is most commonly associated with areas of western Germany. Specifically, records from Germany's former civil registration district of Minden show Alswede as a relatively common surname in the early 20th century, with Alswedes scattered across the region. This might be where the name derives from, though its origin is unknown.
Since then, the Alswede surname has spread throughout the world, most notably in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, Alswede was found in 34 states. California had the most Alswedes, with about 170, followed by Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and Illinois. Additionally, Alswede is recognized globally in the Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, and Scotland, among other more distant lands.
No matter the continent or country, the Alswede name appears to have grown in popularity since the start of the last century. Though the name may have originated in the former district of Minden in western Germany, Alswedes now have a presence in numerous places around the world, with each branch of the family tree tracing its roots back to the country of origin.
Variations of the surname Alswede
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Alswede are Alsewede, Allswede, Allsewede, Alsedde, Allsedde, Alswith, Allswith, Allswyth, and Allsworth.
The origin of the Alswede surname is Anglo-Saxon in origin and is recorded in many spellings. The root of the name is thought to derive from the Olde English pre 7th Century word 'aelswith', meaning 'noble one'. The same root also produces the variant spellings of Allsworth and Allswyth.
Alswede is found mainly in Germany and Denmark but also exists in the Netherlands, Sweden, England, Wales and parts of France. It was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
The modern surname spelling can be found as Alsewede, Allswede, Allsewede, Alsedde, Allsedde, Alswith, Allswith, Allswyth, and Allsworth. The variants in spelling usually occurred when a person moved from one place to another, when they adopted a different spelling of their original name, or when they adopted a phonetic spelling of their names.
Early examples of the surname records include Thomas Alswith, in the manor court rolls of the Soham Manor, Cambridgeshire in 1252, and Walter Alswit of County Lincoln in 1273. Other further examples include Henry Allswith of Yorkshire in 1367, and Thomas Alswith of Sulgrave, Northamptonshire in 1525.
Famous people with the name Alswede
- Nigel Alswede: Former German professional soccer player who played midfield for Bochum, Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern.
- Lawrence Alswede: American bassist and educator who has played with artists like Kenny G, Robben Ford and Michael Bublé.
- Kristi Alswede: Producer and director of the film ‘It’s All Relative’ and short films like ‘Confessions of the Falling Man’.
- Sten Alswede: Swedish-born footballer who played for Öster, Djurgården IF and Helsingborg.
- Melinda Alswede: American artist and sculptor, whose works explore themes of identity, family and spirituality.
- Bruce Alswede: CEO of Management Solutions International Corporation, an organization specializing in healthcare management and consulting.
- Gunhild Alswede: Former swimmer from Germany who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Terrick Alswede: US-born Jamaican footballer who has played for J. Blohm Land's BK and Crystal Palace Baltimore.
- Peter Alswede: German handball player who won two gold medals for Germany at the European championships.
- Emma Alswede: Swedish fashion designer and photographer, known for her avant-garde designs.