Surname Schuwardt - Meaning and Origin
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Schuwardt: What does the surname Schuwardt mean?
The surname Schuwardt is of German origin and dates back to 800 AD. The name is thought to have come from the Middle High German word "schuwert", meaning "shield". The name, like other German surnames, is derived from the basic occupations, roles, and lifestyles of early people. This surname may have been the occupational name for a worker in a shield-making shop or a shield bearer. It may have also been used to denote an individual who served as a guard or guard-like officer.
As the family name spread throughout Germany, it became known by many variations, including Schuward, Schuerwardt, Shouward, Shouwardt, and Shortward. This type of surname is also called an occupational surname.
By the 18th century, the Schuwardt family had become widespread among Germany and had many branches throughout the country. The family emblem is a bear with a branch in its mouth, which corresponds to the coats of arms of the Schuwardt family line.
The Schuwardt family motto is "Treu dem Gotte und dem König" ("Loyal to God and to the King"). This phrase emphasizes the importance placed on faithfulness and loyalty, virtues that the family is said to have embodied since its origins.
Today, the Schuwardt surname is still quite common in Germany, but there are also many Schuwardts scattered around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSchuwardt: Where does the name Schuwardt come from?
The last name Schuwardt is most commonly found today in Germany, where the name originates. As of the 2019 World Names Survey, the name is the 109th most common surname in the country. It is believed to have derived from the Low German word ‘Schuarde’, which alludes to a person who was typically watchful, observant, and responsible.
The highest concentration of Schuwardts can be found in the state of Lower Saxony, particularly in the city of Oldenburg located on the east coast of Germany. Other German states with sizable populations of Schuwardts include Berlin, Bavaria and Sachsen-Anhalt. The name is also found in several other countries in Europe, including Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Due to the large number of German immigrants who settled in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, Schuwardt is now also a common name in the US. Between the years of 1840 and 2020, thousands of people with the last name Schuwardt immigrated to the United States from Germany, with the highest concentration settling in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois.
In Australia, Schuwardts mainly settled in the port city of Melbourne in the early 20th century. They can also be found in New Zealand and Canada, though the name is less common.
It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of people with the last name Schuwardt currently living in the world today.
Variations of the surname Schuwardt
The surname Schuwardt is of German origin and can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
One variant of the surname is Schuhardt, which has the same pronunciation and sometimes the same spelling. This is a common form of the name, especially in German-speaking areas such as Bavaria or Austria.
The surname can also appear as Schuwhardt, a spelling that is less common but still accepted in some parts of Germany.
The surname can also appear with the prefixes “v” or “von” which denotes the family's aristocratic status. This will make the surname appear as Von Schuwardt and V. Schuwardt.
Lastly, the surname Schuwardt can also appear as Schwardt. This spelling variant is more common in some areas such as the Netherlands.
When looking for records or searching for family members related to the Schuwardt family, it is important to remember these spellings and variations of the surname. As the surname has spread from its German origins to other nearby areas, different languages and dialects can cause slight variations in its spelling.
If one is looking for family members related to the Schuwardt family, it is also important to remember some of the surname’s variants, including Schuhardt, Schuwhardt, Von Schuwardt, V. Schuwardt, and Schwardt. Knowing these variations can greatly increase the chances of finding related family members.
Famous people with the name Schuwardt
- Edward Schuwardt: Actor, known for Brüderlein fein (1931), Dernier acte (1921) and Das schönste Mädchen der Welt (1931).
- Charles Schuwardt: Bacteriologist and Ice Cream Maker.
- Karin Schuwardt: German singer and songwriter.
- Paul Schuwardt: German Gymnast and bronze medal winner in the horizontal bar in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Leonard Schuwardt: Silver Medalist in the 1932 Summer Olympics for Athletics 100 meter and gold medalist in 4×100 meter relay.
- Wienke Schuwardt: German Basketball player and captain of the 1984 Olympic team.
- Conrad Schuwardt: 19th-Century German mathematician and physicist.
- Ella Schuwardt: German psychiatrist, known for her work in child psychiatry.
- Catharina Schuwardt: German Historian, known for her work at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.
- Michael Schuwardt: German Paralympic athlete, who played in the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul.
- Karl Schuwardt: 19th-Century German music critic and composer.
- Robert Schuwardt: German Sailor, who competed in the 1936 Berlin summer Olympics.
- Kevin Schuwardt: Musician and songwriter, known for his work in the metal band Pig Destroyer.
- Angelika Schuwardt: German business executive and the first female manager of Vienna Opera.
- Peter Schuwardt: German Designer, who designed the Berliner Zoo in 1844.
- Henry Schuwardt: American Jazz Musician and composer, known for his work on Bessie Smith and Fats Waller.
- Sebastian Schuwardt: German Artist, who specialized in oil paintings and portraits.
- Heinrich Schuwardt: German Architect and Caricaturist, known for his work on the Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Frank Schuwardt: German businessman and founder of the Schuwardt Corporation, a multinational corporation specializing in railway construction.
- Erwin Schuwardt: German Writer, known for his work on the book “Der Letzte Tag Der Revolution” (The Last Day of the Revolution).