Surname Bierschwall - Meaning and Origin

Bierschwall: What does the surname Bierschwall mean?

The last name Bierschwall is of German origin. It is derived from the German word “bierschwall”, which literally translates to “beer wall”. In German, the word “bier” means “beer” and “schwall” refers to “a stream or current of liquid”, so it can be interpreted as either a wall made out of beer or a wall that has beer flowing through it.

The family name Bierschwall likely dates back to the Middle Ages where in some German communities, both simple and noble families brewed their own beer for domestic consumption. Many such families marked their brewing facility with a sign that included their family name and the symbol of the stream or wall of beer. This may have led to the adoption of Bierschwall as a surname.

The name Bierschwall is still found in Germany today, where it appears to be most common in western and central Germany. It is also a relatively common name in the United States, where it is found primarily in the American Midwest and in some areas of the South.

Various branches of the Bierschwall family carry different coat of arms, each bearing some resemblance to the original image of a wall or stream of beer. The closest in appearance is a lion’s head issuing out of a wall, holding a goblet filled with beer. This could be symbolic of the origin and spirit of the family name, representing strength, prosperity, and a good time.

Bierschwall: Where does the name Bierschwall come from?

The last name Bierschwall is most prominently found in Germany and Austria. This is due to the surname's German etymology, as it is derived from the German words “bière”, meaning “beer”, and “schwall”, meaning “wave”. It is likely an occupational name referring to someone who was involved in the beer-making trade, and personified the qualities of a “wave” of beer: strong, powerful, and dangerous.

Today, the surname Bierschwall is most commonly found in Germany. This is due to the fact that Germany is one of the world's largest beer-producing countries, thus its population is more likely to have developed the beer-related surname. Additionally, some branches of the family have immigrated to the United States, thus there are pockets of Bierschwalls found in various areas of the US, including Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. In each location, the surname is fairly uncommon but not unheard of.

In other countries, however, the surname Bierschwall is less common. For instance, in the United Kingdom, it is rare, with fewer than ten instances of the surname found. Similarly, in the Netherlands, France, and Spain, there are few to no individuals carrying the surname.

Variations of the surname Bierschwall

The surname Bierschwall(er) is an extremely rare variant of the much more common surname Bierschwale. Its origin can be traced back to Germany, and it is composed of two archaic words – ‘bier’, meaning beer, and ‘schwall’, meaning gush or stream.

The most common spelling variant of the name is Bierschwale. This spelling is shared by many families around the world that can trace their heritage back to Germany. Other spelling variants to be found throughout Europe (particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium and German-speaking countries) includes Bierschwall, Beerschwale, Bierschwalle, Bierschwaal, Bierschwaalen, Bierschwael, Bierschwächen, Bierschwahlen and Beerzwale.

There are also several existing variations of the surname Bierschwall, or their considerable spelling variations, that exist as occupational surnames in Germany. For example, Bierschwaller has been used as an occupational surname to describe a brewer or tavern keeper. Similarly, Bierschwäme has been used to denote someone associated with beer production.

Finally, Bierschwalk is sometimes used as an anglicised version of Bierschwall, most commonly by those of German ancestry who have moved to the USA. It is closely related to its townland counterparts, which are most often found in German-speaking countries: Beerschwam, Bierschwam, Bierschwams and Bierschwamm.

Famous people with the name Bierschwall

• Grammy award-winning producer and songwriter, David Bierschwall.
• Comedian and writer, Jeff Bierschwall.
• Guitarist and songwriter of the rock band The Outlaws, David Bierschwall.
• Singer-songwriter and producer, Aaron Bierschwall.
• Principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, Skylar Bierschwall.
• Writer and creative professional, Francine Bierschwall.
• Pro Scrabble player and writer, Deb Bierschwall.
• Professional baseball player, Charles Bierschwall.
• Senior lecturer in biochemistry at Lewis & Clark College, Nicholas Bierschwall.
• Football coach at the University of Pennsylvania, Mark Bierschwall.

Other surnames

BierschwalBierschwale