Surname Schwalm - Meaning and Origin
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Schwalm: What does the surname Schwalm mean?
The German surname Schwalm is believed to be derived from an old German word meaning "swamp." The Schwalm family probably originated in Central Germany, in the areas that were now known as the northeastern portions of Hesse and Thuringia. The name first appeared in records of the thirteenth century, and by the seventeenth century had spread throughout Germany.
The earliest known meaning of the name indicates that it could refer to those who came from a region near a swamp. It could also refer to a person who worked with swamps or marshes, or was engaged in activities such as fishing and hunting. It was during the Middle Ages that these lands were being drained or converted to agricultural land. Most of the original swamp dwellers were fighting with the feudal authorities to keep their land, so the Schwalm name could have come to represent a rebellious people.
The earliest mention of the name Schwalm dates back to the 1299 Königsberg Protocol, when it was used in reference to a person from this region. The area later became a part of the Duchy of Nassau, now known as Hesse, and the name Schwalm began to spread throughout the region as people migrated elsewhere. Today, the name is found mainly throughout Germany, with a few instances where it has spread to other parts of Europe, such as Sweden.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwalm: Where does the name Schwalm come from?
The last name Schwalm is a German surname, most commonly found in the country of Germany today. It is thought to originate from a region in central Germany known as the Schwalm-Eder-Kreis, which is part of the state of Hesse. The area is known for its population of Germanic-speaking people, and the last name is thought to be derived from this area.
Schwalm is also found in other parts of Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also thought to be relatively common in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the United States - likely having been passed down through the descendants of immigrants from Germany.
Tracing the surname back further, it is thought to have originated from the Middle Ages, when merchants and travelers in Europe adopted a form of the surname ‘Schwalm’, either from the place or from people they met. Along with this, some individuals likely adopted the surname ‘Schwalm’ due to its association with hunting or falconry, as the word ‘schwalm’ is thought to be derived from the old Germanic word ‘schwale’, which means 'hawk’ in English.
Overall, the last name Schwalm is still relatively common today, particularly in Germany, though it is also found across a number of other countries. As such, it can be said that the surname has had a long history; with its origins stretching back to the Middle Ages and a timeless association with hunting and falconry.
Variations of the surname Schwalm
The surname Schwalm has its origins in Germany and is most commonly thought to originate from the Middle High German word “schwalme” which means “swallow”. Variants of the surname Schwalm include Schwallm, Scwalm, Schualm, Schulm, Schulme, and Scholm. Spellings of the surname Schwalm have also changed over time and include Schwalme, Schwalmme, Schwalem, Schwealme, Schowalme, Schouwelme, Schowelm, Schmalme, and even Schwolm. In some cases, the surname is also spelled as Schwam or Schwamm.
Surnames of similar origin include Schwarm, Swalm, and Schwalbe. For example, there are some American variants which include Schwahlm, Schwala, Shwahlm, and Shwala. Additionally, there are some Scandinavian variants of the surname, including Skwalm and Skwald.
Due to variations in spelling, some Schwalms may be difficult to locate in family trees or other records. It is also worth noting that a few names, such as Schulm, Schwalma, Shwarma, and Shwalm, are interchangeable between German and Slavic languages. This means that there are names of German origin, as well as names of Slavic origin which sound similar but are unrelated to the Schwalm surname.
Famous people with the name Schwalm
- Victoria Schwalm: Victoria is a former American professional tennis player who played on the WTA tour from 1987 to 1991.
- Jean Schwalm: Jean was an American professional golfer who won several PGA Tour events, including the 1957 United States Professional Golfers' Association Championship.
- Mike Schwalm: Mike is a former basketball player from the United States who played for the Seattle SuperSonics during the 1990-91 season.
- Bill Schwalm: Bill is a former American basketball coach at the University of Milwaukee, who won three Division I men's championships.
- Paul Schwalm: Paul is a former American professional football player from the United States who played in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles.
- Lynn Schwalm: Lynn is an American actress from the 1980s and early 1990s, best known for her roles in the television series Cheers and Supertrain.
- Bruce Schwalm: Bruce is a former American swimmer and Olympic medalist who won three Olympic medals in swimming in Seoul in 1988.
- Teresa Schwalm: Teresa is an American singer, songwriter, and founding member of the folk-rock band The Lookouts.
- Allyson Schwalm: Allyson is an American model and actress who has appeared in magazines such as Maxim and FHM.
- Anita Schwalm: Anita is an American jewelry designer who has been featured in numerous art publications, museum shop catalogs, and galleries.