Surname Scharwächter - Meaning and Origin

Scharwächter: What does the surname Scharwächter mean?

Scharwächter is a German surname with a literal meaning of "watchman" or "guard." Historically, it was most likely used to denote a person whose job, family or business was related to keeping a watchful eye over property and rosters. This could have included someone in a position such as a toll keeper, night watchman, border guard, warden, or even a royal palace guard.

The surname has evolved over time, however, and has become a more general term for someone who works as a watchman or security guard. Additionally, due to the increased internationalization of the surname, it is no longer restricted to Germany, but is increasingly used in cultures across the globe.

Scharwächter is closely associated with the German language, and in some cases the surname is spelled differently than in other countries. For example, in Austria, the surname is often spelled Scharwacht, while in Switzerland it is Scharwachter.

Overall, the surname Scharwächter has a long and varied history, having been associated with many different roles and cultures. Its literal translation as “watchman” is still relevant today, giving insight into the individual’s background and providing a sense of familial pride.

Scharwächter: Where does the name Scharwächter come from?

The last name Scharwächter is a German name meaning "guard" or "watchman". It is fairly common in Germany, with approximately 3,700 people sharing the name in 2019. In addition to its presence in Germany, Scharwächter is also a common name in Poland, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Some people with the surname Scharwächter can be found in the United States. According to the US census, there were around 140 people with the last name Scharwächter living in the United States in 2019. The majority of them were found in the Midwest and Great Plains states like Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The surname Scharwächter is also found in South America, especially Argentina. Census records from the year 2000 indicated that around 140 people shared this surname in the country.

Although the name Scharwächter is generally quite rare outside Germany and its neighboring countries, it is not particularly uncommon. There are still many people who share this surname today, particularly in the Midwest and Great Plains states of the United States, as well as in Argentina and other parts of South America.

Variations of the surname Scharwächter

The surname Scharwächter is a northern German variant of the name, and its variants and spellings stem from the same origins.

The most common spelling of the Scharwächter surname is Scharwacher. The spelling Scharwächter is most likely derived from the word scharfwächter, which is a German word meaning "sharp watchman" or "watchman on guard". The name is likely derived from the occupation of a watchman in the days when castles and fortresses were more commonplace.

Variants of the Scharwächter surname include Scharwächer, Scharwähler, Scharweche, Scharewecher, Scharwecke, Scharweick, Scharweecke, Scharwieder, Scharweider, Scharwiede, Scharwedder, Scharwäder, Scherwächter, Scarweck, Scharwick, Scharweike, Scharweick, and Scharweicke.

The surname also has many variants that appear in the records as surnames and can be seen as different spelling variations of the same original name. These include Scharwaecher, Scharwacher, Scharwaechter, Scharweth, Scharwechter, Scharwecher, Scharwecker, Sckarwächter, and Scwarwacker.

Other spellings and variants of the surname have been found in the United States, including Schurwalt, Schorwalt, Schauwold, and Schaurwalt.

In conclusion, the Scharwächter surname is an interesting name with a variety of related spellings and variants which have origins in northern Germany.

Famous people with the name Scharwächter

• Dr. Peter Scharwächter: German pianist, professor at the renowned Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg.
• Erik Scharwächter: German footballer who played for Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 70s.
• Leonhard Scharwächter: 19th century German operatic tenor.
• Paul Scharwächter: German chemist and astrophysicist, known for his contributions to the advancement of modern chemistry during the 19th century.
• Friedrich Scharwächter: German portrait painter who travelled to France to study painting under the tutelage of Jean-Baptiste Greuze.
• Heinz Scharwächter: German television producer, director and author, best-known for his various television series.
• Franz Scharwächter: German composer of opera, symphonies and chamber works.
• Michael Scharwächter: German actor best known for his roles in various movies since the 1980s.
• Rudolph Scharwächter: A German actor who appeared in several films in the 1950s and 60s.
• Wolfgang Scharwächter: German historian and travel writer, who specializes in the history of Germany during the 19th century.

Other surnames

Scharwacht