Surname Schwärzli - Meaning and Origin
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Schwärzli: What does the surname Schwärzli mean?
Schwärzli is a German last name derived from the word schwarz, meaning black. This is likely because the original bearer of the name had dark hair or skin, or perhaps they shared the same name as a powerful family who wore black in their heraldry. The name is most commonly found near the German borders of Switzerland and Austria.
There is no exact origin story or exact meaning of the name, but it is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages. The earliest use of Schwärzli as a surname dates back to 1388 in the Upper Rhine region of Germany.
The name is sometimes spelled different variations such as Schwarzli, Schwörzle, Schwarzley, and Schwärzley. In some cases, the spelling has been altered to obscure the original meaning, particularly in the United States.
Today, the last name Schwärzli is mainly found in German-speaking parts of Switzerland and Austria, as well as in other countries where those of German heritage have settled. People who have the surname typically have Germanic features, dark hair and eyes, and are descendants of the original bearer of the Schwärzli surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwärzli: Where does the name Schwärzli come from?
The last name Schwärzli is most commonly found in Switzerland. Due to its German roots, the surname is also found in some parts of Germany and Austria, as well as in neighboring Liechtenstein.
Within Switzerland, Schwärzlis are most concentrated in the cantons of Zurich, Schaffhausen and Bern, with smaller numbers in Aargau, St. Gallen, Basel-Landschaft, Lucerne and Zug. Census records indicate that as recently as the 1980s, Schwärzli was the most common surname in some parts of Schaffhausen and Zurich, such as the municipality of Männedorf in Schaffhausen.
Swiss census data indicates that the name became more dispersed as the 20th century wore on, as people moved from rural areas to urban centers and abroad in search of better educational and economic opportunities. At the same time, immigrants from other countries, such as Italy, France and Spain, have brought their own surnames to the country. As a result, Schwärzli is no longer the most common surname in Switzerland.
Despite this, data shows that Schwärzli remains a popular surname in the country and continues to be passed down through generations of Swiss families. As such, it is likely that the surname will continue to be part of the Swiss landscape in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Schwärzli
The surname Schwärzli has its origins from the Central German region of Switzerland and is a variation of the name Schwarz. It derived from the Middle High German word “schwarz” meaning “black” and was most likely a nickname given to a person of dark complexion, or one who wore predominantly black clothing. The variants, spellings and surnames related to the origin of Schwärzli include the following:
Schwärzli: This is the German spelling of the surname, and is the most common form in Switzerland.
Schwarzle: This is an alternate form of the Schwärzli name, originating from Germany.
Schwarzl: This is a version of the Schwärzli name commonly used in Germany.
Schwarz: This is the most common spelling of the surname and is primarily used in Germany and Switzerland.
Schwarzlii: This is another variant of the Schwärzli surname that is used in Switzerland.
Schwarzmann: This is a surname of German origin that has the roots of Schwärzli.
Schwarzmeier: This is another Germanic variation of the Schwärzli surname.
Schwarzli: This is a more simplified version of the surname. It is a spelling used mainly in Switzerland.
Schwarzkopf: This is a surname of German origin, that has the roots of Schwärzli.
Schwartz: This is another spelling of the Schwärzli surname, and is used mainly in the United States and Canada.
Schwarcz: This is the Yiddish spelling of the surname, and is largely used by Jews of German origin.
The surnames Schwärzli, Schwarz, Schwartz, and Schwarcz are all derived from the same origin and have very similar meanings. The variations of these surnames also all point to a person of dark complexion or one who wore predominantly black clothing. They are all common names in the Germanic region, and demonstrate how the surname has been adapted over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Schwärzli
- Erwin Schwärzli, Swiss footballer
- Peter Schwärzli, Swiss politician
- Markus Schwärzli, Swiss ski jumper
- Arnold Günther Schwärzli, Swiss reformed theologian
- Jürg Schwärzli, Swiss lawyer
- Kurt Schwärzli, Swiss skiing champion
- Adi Schwärzli, Swiss ski coach
- Werner Schwärzli, Swiss skier
- Michael Schwärzli, Swiss gymnast
- Hans Schwärzli, Swiss professional basketball player
- Christian Schwärzli, Swiss badminton player
- Fritz Schwärzli, Swiss alpinist
- Hanspeter Schwärzli, Swiss cross-country skier
- Anton Schwärzli, Swiss musician
- Sebastian Schwärzli, Swiss chef