Surname Schwander - Meaning and Origin
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An Intimate Journey into the Schwander Legacy: An iGENEA DNA Test Experience
In their quest to delve into their family history, the author undertook an emotional journey of self-discovery through an iGENEA DNA test. They explored the rich, diverse lineage connected to their surname, Schwander, culminating in an enhanced sense of identity and connection to their heritage.
T. Schwander
read moreSchwander: What does the surname Schwander mean?
Schwander (or Schwändr in its original form) is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "swand", which means forests or wilderness, signifying a family that may have once resided in such a place.
The surname Schwander first appeared in Germany during the 1100s. It is found primarily in western Europe, although it is also present in other European countries and in the United States. Most notable is a large concentration of Schwanders in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. In the United States, it appears to be concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York.
Within the context of a family, the surname Schwander casts a light on the familial geographic origins, likely indicating a connection to a rural landscape or distant outpost. It may symbolize a type of longing for those lands, or a simple expression of one's origin story. It may be a reminder that, while a person may be generations removed from their ancestral home, the family's fingerprint on a society or country stretches further than one could imagine.
For those with the last name Schwander, their family's place in history is of utmost significance, and its meaning will be carried forward from one generation to the next. No matter where they live, the Schwander name will forever be linked with the distant history of their ancestors, and serve as a reminder of a legacy which reaches far beyond the immediate family.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwander: Where does the name Schwander come from?
The last name Schwander is most common today in Switzerland. It is derived from the Old High German word "swer, swar, swer" which means "show, evidence, proof". Thus, the origin and meaning of the name is a "show of power" or "powerful proof".
In Switzerland, the name Schwander is most prevalent in the canton of Bern and the town of Aarau. It is believed that Schwander families originated in the canton of Bern, where the Schwander family still lives today. The name is commonly found in the current canton of Bern, canton of Switzerland's largest cities, the German speaking cantons of Zurich and Basel, and in Aarau.
Other countries in which the name Schwander is most common include Germany, Austria, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In these countries, the name can be found throughout the respective regions in each country.
In the United States, the Schwander family is most common in the states of California, Texas, New York, and Illinois. In California, the name is most often seen in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. In Texas, the cities of Houston, Austin, and Dallas are the predominant places where the surname is most exposed. In New York, the last name Schwander is quite common in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area.
In Canada, the name can be found in large urban areas such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Australia's major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are also places of frequent occurrence of the Schwander name. In New Zealand, the name Schwander is mostly found in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and other regions of the country.
Variations of the surname Schwander
The surname Schwander is a German surname. It is derived from the Middle High German language term “schwander, “ which means “mover” or “traveler.” It could have been given to people who moved from one place to another or people who traveled frequently. Variations of the spelling of this surname include: Schwanter, Schwanderer, Schwander, Schwanderin, Schwandra, Schwandt, and Schwandta.
The variants of the name include: Schwandar, Schwandor, Schwandt, and Schwandtner. The Schwandar variant is found more frequently in southern Germany. The Schwandor variant is more common in northern Germany and Austria. The Schwandt variant is found mostly in Germany and Switzerland, and the variant Schwandtner is more frequent in eastern Germany and Austria.
There are many surnames that have the same origin as Schwander. These include: Schwanzel, Schnudge, Schnur, Schwank, Schwedt, Schwent, Schwitz, Schweder, Schwend, and Schwaner. This type of surname often appears frequently in records as it was once quite common.
The variations of the spelling of this surname can be seen in the records. Many of the spellings appear interchangeably in records and could depend on the roots of the family or where they were located. The variants of the name Schwander that appear in records were often the result of variations in the pronunciation of the name in different areas of Europe. For instance, the variations Schwandta, Schwandtner and Schwandor were used in different areas, depending on how the name was pronounced.
Famous people with the name Schwander
- Brendan Schwander: best known for creating technology platform Gobi to facilitate his hometown's transition to a digital world and for his work in renewable energy.
- Brian Schwander: former Tennessee State Senator known for statutes and legislation that promote renewable energy and environmental conservation efforts.
- David Schwander: professional poker player who has won multiple World Series of Poker events.
- Elana Schwander: long-distance runner specializing in the 5K, 10K, and the half marathon.
- John Schwander: former American football player who was an outside linebacker.
- Lawrence Schwander: actor/writer who appeared in such films as Tim Burton's film Frankenweenie (2012) and appeared in television shows such as "Roseanne".
- Claudia Schwander: illusionist, escape artist, and stunt performer from Germany.
- Eric Schwander: professional baseball player who played as a first baseman.
- Mike Schwander: professional snowboarder who competed in the X Games.
- Sylvia Schwander: former Republican Montana House of Representatives member and rancher.