Surname Schwald - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schwald: What does the surname Schwald mean?
The last name Schwald is of German-origin and is derived from the Low German word ‘schwal’ meaning a swallow bird. It is found to be most common in Austria, but is also found in other countries like Switzerland and the United States.
The variant forms of the family name Schwald include Shwalt, Schwaldt, and Schwoltz. As a regional name, it is associated with Bavarian and Swabian regions of Germany, and is likely to have come from a nickname given to someone with the behavior or physical appearance of the swallow.
Those bearing the last name Schwald have a history of living in various parts of Europe since before the 13th century. During that era, many migrants travelled across Europe in search of a new life, thus introducing their family name to places which may not have been familiar with it.
In the modern day, Schwald is most likely to be found in countries of German or Austrian descent. It is a last name associated with hard-working people who were commuters in the past. This is seen in the presence of the family name found in locations such as Berlin, Stuttgart, and Vienna. As per the 2000 US census, the last name Schwald is present in the United States, with more than 570 people listed bearing the name.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwald: Where does the name Schwald come from?
Today, the surname Schwald is most commonly found in Germany and Central Europe, particularly in the areas of Germany where it is said to have originally appeared. The Schwald name is still very common in the German-speaking areas of Bavaria and around the city of Berlin. It is also particularly prevalent in the surrounding countries of Switzerland and Austria, where it is recorded in the official records of population surveys and other sources. Additionally, it is found in countries of origin for German immigrants such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, the Schwald surname is found predominately in the states of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. According to the 1910 US Census, the highest concentration of Schwalds resided in New York City. Today, it is estimated that there are approximately 2,400 Schwalds living in the United States.
The Schwald surname has also been established internationally—the Schwalds in Switzerland use the alternate spelling Schwalb, whereas in Australia, the spelling often becomes Shwald. In Germany, many families have branches with different spellings due to migration over the centuries. The variations in spelling tip to the fact that the Schwald name has spread far and wide, revealing the ambitious spirit of its original holders.
Variations of the surname Schwald
The multiple spellings and surnames of Schwald are derived from both German and Dutch varieties of the surname. The most common spelling of Schwald is Schawal, followed by Schwall, Schwal, Schwaal, Schwoll, Schaal, Schaul, Schwahl, Schaul, and Schaal. All of these spellings have some variations and can appear as Schwalder, Schwaldern, Schwaller, Schwaler, Schwallen, Schwalter, Schwall, Schwalle, and Schwallem. Some other forms of this surname include de Schwalme, Schwamel, Schwamb, Schwamm, Schwambach, Schwemp, Schwelm, Schwiller, Shwall, Schwolle, Schel, Scholte, Schneide, Schroet, Schellert, Schwelm, and Schael.
This surname originated from the place names Schwalde, Schwalden, Schwalda, Schwaldi, and Schwalla, found in Germany and The Netherlands. These places were named for the Old Saxon language word "sgwahi," which meant "place with protection from the wind." This place name became adopted as a surname in the Middle Ages when people migrated from these locations in search of more opportunity.
Additionally, Schwald has been found in the forms Ahl Schwald, Alt Schwald, and Neu Schwald, which are derived from the former town of Schwald in Bavaria. The sch prefix in these versions of the name could mean "in the" or "close to the town of Schwald," depending on geographical location.
Due to high levels of taxation and other difficulties in Germany, many people with the surname Schwald immigrated to countries like the United States, Scandinavia, and South America, where various spellings of the name may appear.
Famous people with the name Schwald
- Anita Schwald, political scientist and professor
- Vanessa Schwald, German professional golfer
- Andreas Schwald, former professional football player from Austria
- Rolf Schwald, former professional football player from Germany
- David Schwald, American actor
- J.D. Schwald, American painter
- Robert Schwald, American politician and mayor
- Charles R. Schwald, American politician
- Heide Schwald, German para-equestrian athlete
- Ursula Schwald, German former swimmer