Surname Schwinde - Meaning and Origin
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Schwinde: What does the surname Schwinde mean?
The last name Schwinde is a German surname that originates from the Middle High German word ‘swinden’, meaning ‘to fade, diminish’. It is a toponymic surname, which was generally given to individuals who initially came from a structure or village called Schwinde. The surname is found especially in North Germany, especially the region around Kiel, in the crowded mouth range of the Elbe river in Holstein.
The Schwinde surname is derived from the German word ‘swinden’, meaning to diminish or fade. This word is believed to refer to the movement of the Elbe River that slowly dwindled its shorelines. When settlers moved into the region, they gave the name to the village where they lived and this eventually became their surname. This surname then spread through Europe as immigrants moved in that direction over the centuries.
The Schwinde surname is often associated with strength and determination, as those families facing hardship and decline found a way to rebuild their lives and communities. The name also has an association withethe craft of boat-building and fishing, as the Schwinde family has been traditionally connected to these trades. Generally, however, the Schwinde name is symbolic of resiliency and strength in the face of changing social and economic times.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwinde: Where does the name Schwinde come from?
The last name Schwinde is a German/Westphalian surname and is primarily found across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Specifically, the surname is most commonly found in the northern German region of Lower Saxony as well as the eastern German state of Thuringia. It is also commonly found in the Alsace region of France and German-speaking areas of Belgium.
In the United States, the last name Schwinde is primarily found along the east coast states, ranging from Maryland to New York, although it is spread in smaller pockets across the remainder of the country, especially in parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley.
A significant population of individuals with this surname is also found in Australia as a result of European settlers. Along with this, the surname Schwinde is also moderately common in Canada, primarily concentrated in the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, with smaller numbers found in Alberta and British Columbia.
Given the spread of the surname Schwinde, it is likely to have multiple origins, although this is difficult to confirm without further research.
Variations of the surname Schwinde
The surname Schwinde is a German occupational name generally given to one who sold or prepared meat. This surname is also sometimes spelled Schwind, Schwinder, Schwintzer, Schwindermann, and Schwindermayer.
Variants of the surname Schwinde include demographic variants which developed in areas with different languages, including: Swind in English, Szvind in Hungarian, Svinda in Ukrainian, and Szwinda in Polish. Over time, these variants became more homogenized as populations moved, or language changed, and some of the variant spellings mentioned above may now be considered archaic.
Schwinde is a relatively uncommon surname of German origin and is most likely derived from the Old High German word “swint,” meaning “blowing,” likely referring to a windy area or a windy person. This surname likely originated in the region of Lower Saxony along the Baltic Sea though it has spread throughout Germany.
The earliest known usage of the surname Schwinde was found in the Niederdeutsche Familienkunde, a genealogical reference book on many German families. In it, the book mentions the Schwinde family of Stolberg in 1560.
Overall, the surname Schwinde is derived from an occupational title and is most commonly found in areas of Germany. While most variants of this surname spell it in the same way, some regional spelling differences have developed over the years so that in some places, traditional spellings are now considered archaic.
Famous people with the name Schwinde
- Dustin Schwinde: Professional snowboarder
- Conrad Schwinde: American Football player
- Sabastian Schwinde: Former professional tennis player
- Henrik Schwinde: German discus thrower
- Alexander Schwinde: Record-breaking swimmer
- Ann-Karine Schwinde: Norwegian cross country skier
- Lars Schwinde: Award-winning Norwegian jazz pianist
- David Schwinde: German flutist and bandmaster
- Lutz Schwinde: German stunt pilot
- Mathias Schwinde: Producer and comedian