Surname Schwarzenberger - Meaning and Origin

Schwarzenberger: What does the surname Schwarzenberger mean?

The surname Schwarzenberger is of Germanic origin and is derived from the medieval personal name ‘Schwarz’. This refers to someone who was ‘black’ or who was ‘dark’ in complexion. In some cases, it also refers to an individual who wore black clothing or armor. The ‘-berg’ suffix refers to someone who lived on, or close to a hill or mountain.

The earliest known instance of the name Schwarzenberger dates back to the 13th century, when ‘Henry Schwarz’ was registered in the records of the St. Eloi Monastery near Strasbourg, France. Over the centuries, the Schwarzenberger surname spread across Europe and beyond. Today, the name can be found in various forms in Italy, Austria, and various countries of Eastern Europe, such as Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia.

Schwarzenberger families have been found in many places, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and even the United States of America. Many of the people bearing this name have gone on to make remarkable contributions to society through their work as scientists, mathematicians, artists, writers and more.

The Schwarzenberger name is an interesting one, indicative of its bearer's history and connection to those who lived in the hills and mountains of medieval Europe. As it spread, it developed numerous forms and meanings within various cultures, allowing it to remain relevant and meaningful throughout the centuries.

Schwarzenberger: Where does the name Schwarzenberger come from?

The last name Schwarzenberger is primarily associated with Austria and the region of Southeastern Germany. It is among the most common German surnames in this region, and is found all over Europe, including Austria, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Czechoslovakia, and Poland.

In Austria, Schwarzenberger is one of the top 10 most common surnames, indicating how widespread the name is across the country. It is also a common family name in Germany, and is spread throughout the country, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt.

In more recent times, there may be migrations of people with the last name Schwarzenberger to other regions. It's possible to find people with the name in the United States, Canada, and Australia, for example. In general, though, Schwarzenberger is most often seen in Central European countries. People with the name may be able to trace their lineage for hundreds of years, and it could even go back to medieval times.

The name Schwarzenberger is a unique and recognizable name, and serves as an interesting ancestral marker. It is a fairly common name, so there are likely to be numerous people living with it today.

Variations of the surname Schwarzenberger

The Schwarzenberger surname is a German toponymic name which originated in the 17th century. The thirteenth century Schwarzenberg castle is located near Passau, Bavaria, Germany. There are several variants and spelling of the original surname Schwarzenberger.

The most common variant is Schwarzinger, with other ones being, Schwarzemburger, Schwarzenberg, Scharzenburger, Schatzenberger, Screvenburger, Schawrzbarger, Schwartzenberger and Shvreisburger.

The earliest discovered recording of the name is that of Johann Schwarzenberger, who married Kunigund Yerckholtz, at Allmannshofen in Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1572.

Surnames derived from the same root, but with different spellings, include Swartsenbarger, Swartzberger, Swartzlender, Schwarzenberg, Schwartzenberger, Schwartsenbarger and Swartzig. The surnames Subasic, Cihak, Svobodova and Zitny also have the same root, believed to be derived from the region or country of origin.

The Schwarzenberger name is also found in countries such as Austria, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, The Netherlands and The Czech Republic. These variants are most often found amongst the Ashkenazi Jewish community.

Finally, the Schwarzenberger surname is common amongst Hungarian Jews, thanks in part to the large influx of Jewish refugees escaping anti-semitism during the 18th century. The Hungarians variant of the name is usually spelled Szwartzbarg.

Famous people with the name Schwarzenberger

• Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein
• Croatian-German footballer Christian Schwarzenberger
• Swedish general Carl August von Schwarzenberg
• Austrian musician Willi Schwarz
• Bavarian politician Johann Baptist von Schwarzenberg
• Byran Schwarzenberger, Canadian entrepreneur
• Austrian sculptor Josef Schwarzenberger
• Croatian-born Austrian writer Antun Gustav Matoš
• Bavarian writer Walther von der Vogelweide
• German philosopher Karl Philipp Schwarzenberg
• Austrian surgeon and anatomist Robert Sigmund Schwarzenberger
• Austrian actor Maximilian Schell
• Austrian radio producer and director Robert Kraus
• German film producer and director Volker Schlöndorff
• French actor Patrick Bruel
• German photographer Andreas Schwarzenberger
• American singer-songwriter Robby Schwarzenberger
• Director Sabine Diebner
• Austrian actress and singer Marianne Walla.

Other surnames

Schwarzenberg