Surname Schwalier - Meaning and Origin

Schwalier: What does the surname Schwalier mean?

The last name Schwalier is of German origin and is primarily found in Germany and Austria. It is a variation of the name Schwalia, which derived from the word “schwalbe” meaning “swallow” or “swallowlike” in German. It is also believed that the name Schwalier could also stem from the Germanic word “schwelle” meaning “big wave”.

Throughout German history, there have been several famous coat of arm symbols associated with the Schwalier family name. A swallow swooping through a curved wavy line over a mountain is the most common symbol, signifying the Schwalier name.

The Schwalier family name is thought to be a branch of another German family name, Schwalm. The Schwalm family was spread across Germany and Austria but mainly concentrated in areas of Hesse-Kassel and Thuringia during the middle ages.

Schwaliers were mainly farmers, chandlers, millers, artisans, butchers and craftsmen. However, some Schwaliers were members of noble families, and usually carried a title such as Freiherr or Baron.

Today, the Schwalier last name is still quite common in Germany and Austria. There are various organizations dedicated to keeping the Schwalier family name alive, such as the Schwalier Family Association, which has been promoting the name and its origins since the mid-1800s.

Schwalier: Where does the name Schwalier come from?

The last name Schwalier is most commonly found today in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany. It is thought to have originated in the German state of Bavaria, which lies in the southern part of the country. The meaning of the name is thought to come from "Schwal," which means "swan," along with the suffix "-ier," which indicates a person from a particular place, or a person with a particular occupation. The earliest known documented use of the name dates back to 1327 in the town of Cadolzburg, Germany.

Since then, this surname has spread throughout Germany. It is most dense in the states of Bavaria, Thuringia, and Bremen, but can also be found in many other states. The distribution of the name outside of Germany appears to be minimal, though there are some individuals with the last name Schwalier in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

The Schwalier family is still well-respected and well known in Bavaria. This is especially true in the city of Eichstatt, where the Schwalier family has been present for many generations. In fact, a famous Schwalier family brewery is still active in Eichstatt today.

Despite its relative obscurity, the Schwalier family name is still honored in Germany and around the world. It is a testament to the strength of German-speaking countries and the culture that has been nurtured there for centuries.

Variations of the surname Schwalier

The surname Schwalier is one of German origin, coming from Schwaller and Schwalle. It is a patronymic name, derived from the Middle High German personal name Schwager, which means “brother-in-law”.

Variants of this surname include Schwalier, Schwalle, Schwahler, Scwalier, Schaller, and Schwaler. A few other spellings and surname variants can also be found, such as Schwala, Schwaler, Schwalie, Schwaliers, Shwalier, Schwalers, and Schwallers.

Variants of Schwalier can be found in several countries, such as Germany, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom. Of these regions, Germany is where the surname originated. In German, the original spelling of the surname is Schwalier.

The surname is also common among other parts of Europe, as well as in North America. Common variants found in these regions include Schwaler, Schwaller, Schwaliers, Shwalier, and Schwahler, although the original German spelling of Schwalier is still the most common of the variants.

Some English speakers have Anglicized the spelling, creating an additional surname variant, such as Schwaller. Some non- German branches of the family may have adopted this spelling in order to fit in better with native populations.

The surnames Schwalier, Schwalle, and Schwahler also appear frequently in Jewish communities. It is believed that Jewish families adopted this surname during their migration to Europe, though it is not known if this is the case.

In short, the family name Schwalier has numerous variants from different parts of the world, including Germany, France, Poland, the United Kingdom, and North America. Some of these variants have undergone Anglicization or other changes to fit in better with their native populations. Additionally, the surname has found its way into Jewish populations, though no conclusive evidence linking it to Jewish families has been established.

Famous people with the name Schwalier

• Major General David Schwalier: Retired from the United States Air Force and served as commander of Lackland Air Force Base.
• Major Isaac Schwalier: A co-founder of the 22nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
• Bill Schwalier: Former NFL pro football player and current President/CEO of the NFL Alumni Association.
• Albert Schwalier: Founding member of the American Society for Microbiology.
• Karl Schwalier: World-renowned German chef with numerous awards including Best Main Course at the 2020 World Cooking Championship.
• Christine Schwalier: Award-winning composer best known for her critically acclaimed works such as "Creation Symphony" and "Dances of Life".
• Eva Schwalier: Acclaimed film producer, responsible for some of the most iconic movies of the last century, such as "The Battle of the Somme" and "The Great Escape".
• Marla Schwalier: Outstanding researcher and lecturer in the fields of archaeology and anthropology.
• Philip Schwalier: Noted lawyer and civil rights advocate with several successful cases under his belt.
• Stephanie Schwalier: Award-winning investigative journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller "Secrets of the White House".

Other surnames

Schwalie