Surname Schwindel - Meaning and Origin
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Schwindel: What does the surname Schwindel mean?
The last name Schwindel is a German surname derived from the word "schwindeln," meaning "to feign or be deceitful." It is thought to have been used to suggest that one is likely to be not trustworthy or faithless. The name is a particularly apt one in some areas of the world, as the name literally means “swindling” and could be associated with individuals involved in just such activities.
In some cases, the surname may have originated in a bit of mischievousness or prank-playing, as the more literal translation of “Schwindel” is “to trick.” This interpretation could suggest that the surname came about to denote a person with a bit of a mischievous bent, though of course it could have many different connotations.
Over time, the surname may have become associated in some quarters with luck and cunning. After all, it can be argued that being lucky or sly enough to dupe someone requires a certain degree of good fortune and skill.
For whatever reason the family adopted the name, the Schwindel surname has endured over the years and is still used today by many families around the world. Although the original meaning of the name is small cause for concern, its current usage is very much a testament to family pride.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwindel: Where does the name Schwindel come from?
The last name Schwindel is primarily found in Germany, though it also has a presence in other European countries such as Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. It is also common in countries around the world with significant German diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia.
There is no consensus around the meaning of the name Schwindel or its origin. It might have Germanic roots related to the Old High German verb "schwinden," meaning "to disappear," and a likely literal interpretation of the name Schwindel would be "someone who tends to disappear or fade away." Alternatively, it could have come from the Old High German noun "schwintila," meaning "whirlwind."
Today, the last name Schwindel is one of the few family names that is common not only among German-speaking people but across the world. It often appears in records dating back to the 16th century, and it is estimated that over 50,000 people carry the name worldwide. Furthermore, the last name Schwindel is particularly common in some German states, such as Saxony-Anhalt, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony.
Variations of the surname Schwindel
The surname Schwindel holds several derivatives and spellings. The variants Schwind, Schwindt, Schwindeler, Schwinder, Schwinderl and Swindle may all have a common origin and a connection to the original surname Schwindel. The variants all stem from the German word ‘Schwindeln’, which translates to ‘totter’, ‘faint’, ‘swoon’ or ‘dizziness’.
Surnames that are derived from the same root can be linked through traditional German methods of name changing. Many people changed their names due to political, administrative or personal reasons. A common example is when the father of the family changed his name, his children then adopted his new surname. It also occurs when people immigrate, or move to a new area, when they follow local customs and adopt the local name.
Individuals may have chosen to modify their name to reflect a specific profession, a geographical location or even the characteristics associated with the family. This is why we can find several spellings and derivatives of the same source name.
In today’s digital age, it is possible to trace the origin of a surname using genealogy databases. This is an invaluable tool for those who are interested in researching their family's past. By using such a resource, it is possible to find not only prominent ancestors, but also any variants or derivatives of a surname that may indicate common origins.
In conclusion, the surname Schwindel is connected to a range of derivatives and spellings. These may have resulted due to name alterations over the years, in order to reflect a family’s position, profession, geographical location or characteristics. It is possible to trace the origin of a surname using genealogy databases.
Famous people with the name Schwindel
- Horst Schwindel: Horst Schwindel was a German-born actor who appeared in European film and television in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Georg Schwindel: Georg Schwindel is a German entrepreneur and the founder of a successful online payment business.
- Len Schwindel: Len Schwindel is a retired American professional football player who was an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975 to 1979.
- Frank Schwindel: Frank Schwindel is a German-born retired Major League Baseball player who played for the Kansas City Royals in 2019.
- Maurice Schwindel: Maurice Schwindel was an Austrian-born writer and translator known for his works depicting the life of the local Jewish community.
- Martin Schwindel: Martin Schwindel is a German journalist, author, and publicist who has worked for various newspapers and magazines since the 1970s.
- Kurt Schwindel: Kurt Schwindel was an Austrian-American musician, music teacher, and music publisher who is well known among classical music lovers.
- Thomas Schwindel: Thomas Schwindel is a German-born illustrator, painter, sculptor and graphic artist who works in a style that is both contemporary and nostalgic.
- Herbert Schwindel: Herbert Schwindel was a Swiss-born American-based political activist and lecturer who was prominent in the anti-nazi movement in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Lisa Schwindel: Lisa Schwindel is a German-born singer-songwriter who has released several albums over the past two decades.