Surname Schwalt - Meaning and Origin
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Schwalt: What does the surname Schwalt mean?
The last name Schwalt is of German origin and is derived from a personal name "Schwalt" which is a nickname for "Schwalter" meaning "one who awarded". This nickname was likely given to a person in a leadership role who had the authority to make decisions and award or assign goods and goods or tasks. It is believed to have been used to refer to someone in a mediating or governing position such as a judge.
The first instances of the name Schwalt are found in the late 1800s with one of the earliest records being the marriage of Johann and Maria Schwalt in Todenmann in 1884. Over the following decades, the name spread through Germany and its neighboring countries. In North America, the first recorded instance is again found in the late 1800s, with Johann Schwalt living in Minnesota in 1907.
Today the name Schwalt is not overly popular. Due to its relatively low prevalence and German origin, this surname is often considered to be one of the more rare family names. Despite this, it is still used widely throughout Europe, North America, and Australasia.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwalt: Where does the name Schwalt come from?
The last name Schwalt is most commonly found in Germany today. In fact, according to the German genealogical database MeyersGaz, over 3,000 people are registered with the Schwalt name in Germany. The Schwalt surname was used by a noble family in Westphalia, in the late 18th century. During this period, the family was once powerful and held a number of castles, and later they were elevated to the status of Freiherren (Baron). Today, the Schwalt family is mostly concentrated in the German states of Saxony, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Bavaria, but it is also found in Austria and Switzerland.
In terms of specific locations, larger concentrations of the Schwalt name can be found in Cologne, Bonn, and Munich as well as the smaller towns in the surrounding areas. The Schwalt name is also present in the United States, primarily due to immigrants that emigrated in the mid-19th century from the region today known as West Germany or the Rhineland. Cities with concentrations of the Schwalt name include Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York in the United States as well as Toronto in Canada.
The spelling of the last name Schwalt in Germany varies slightly across regions, often appearing as Schwaltz, Schwaltd, and Schwaltzdorf. Despite this, all of the variations are related and have the same German root.
Variations of the surname Schwalt
Schwalt is a German surname which originates from the Middle High German word ‘swalte’ meaning 'noble guardian’. It is spelt in many different ways, for instance Schwalt, Schwealt, Schwaltz, Schwalte, Schwelte, Schweltz, Schwalz, Schwelz, Schwalti, Shvalti, Schwulte, Schwilte, and Schwiltz. Other variants include Schwaltzer, Schwaltman, Schwaltmeier, and Schwaltmeyer.
Although only a few of the current spellings of the Schwalt surname date back to medieval times, the variations in orthography of the names are due to many influences arising from changes in societies and cultures. During the 18th and 19th centuries in Germany, peasant populations seeking to establish a sense of belonging began to adopt surnames as a way of identification. This process of adoption was usually marked by spelling changes, and hence the many different spellings we now find for Schwalt today.
The Schwalt surname is widespread in Germany and is commonly found among those with various religious affiliations such as Catholics, Lutherans and Jews. It has spread to many countries and is currently found in the USA, Canada, and Australia, among other countries. Schwalt is also a popular surname among Jewish communities in Eastern Europe.
Ultimately, Schwalt is a unique and ancient surname, its different spellings tracing a long history of cultural evolution and adaptation.
Famous people with the name Schwalt
- Nick Schwalt: Professional mountain biker
- Bill Schwalt: Award-winning film producer and actor
- Chris Schwalt: Former professional soccer player
- Bob Schwalt: Retired Major League Baseball player
- Alex Schwalt: Hall of Fame college basketball coach
- John Schwalt: Olympic gold medalist in long-distance running
- Dave Schwalt: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Joe Schwalt: Professional mixed martial artist
- Christine Schwalt: NFL Official
- Francis Schwalt: Retired professional snowboarder
- Rob Schwalt: Professional skateboarder
- William Schwalt: Award-winning composer and pianist
- Rory Schwalt: Highly-awarded ice hockey player
- Jeff Schwalt: Winner of the US Open Golf Championship
- Ed Schwalt: NFL Pro Bowl linebacker
- George Schwalt: Retired NASCAR driver
- Martin Schwalt: Actor, best known for his role in the TV series Dallas
- Michael Schwalt: Grammy-nominated musician
- Jonathan Schwalt: Olympic gold medalist in wrestling
- Kay Schwalt: Actress and dancer, best known for her roles in Broadway musicals