Surname Schwinder - Meaning and Origin
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Schwinder: What does the surname Schwinder mean?
The surname Schwinder is derived from the German word “schwinden”, meaning “to vanish, dwindle, or fade away”. This may suggest that the individuals who took on this name were associated with a place or object that disappeared over time. Alternatively, the name may have been adopted by a family which experienced a sudden reversal of fortune, such as after a hereditary title or wealth being lost.
The given name has also been strongly associated with the Schwinder family in Germany. Documents show that the Schwinder family were first recorded in Prussia in the 14th century. The original seat of the family is believed to be Sachsen (Saxony), East Germany.
The earliest form of the name, “Schnynder”, is believed to have been derived from the Middle High German word “schbynder” which indicated someone who manufactured arrows or bolts. Over time, the “Schnynder” Woide would be re-spelled to “Schwinder”, with a “w” instead of a “y”. Members of the family migrated from Prussia to other parts of Europe and America, taking the name “Schwinder” with them.
Today, the surname Schwinder is mainly associated with German and Jewish people. Those with the surname may also have descended from Jewish people living in Germany in the 16th century. For those with the name, the most appropriate translation of their surname is “A vanishing legacy”. This reflects the unknown history of the family as well as their own personal experiences.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwinder: Where does the name Schwinder come from?
The last name Schwinder is most common in Germany today. It is a topographical name; referring to a person who lived near or adjacent to a swamp or marsh. It is also a variant spelling of Schwinder which is derived from the German word 'schwinden', meaning 'to perish, to wane' in English.
In 2021, Schwinder is the 1,432nd most common family name in Germany, where it is borne by around 14,200 people. It is particularly prominent in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich.
The name is also heavily concentrated in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, where it is the 111th and 1,936th most popular family name, respectively.
In America, Schwinder is a rare name and is currently not found in the top 1000 last names. Many people with the name may have anglicized or shortened it to Winder or differant variations. Currently, immigration records show that a small number of people with the last name Schwinder have arrived in the United States in the last 100 years.
It is also found in France, where it is the 1,092nd most common family name.
Overall, it can be concluded that the last name Schwinder remains most strongly associated with Germany and other German-speaking countries, with a small presence in other places.
Variations of the surname Schwinder
The surname Schwinder is of Germanic origin. It is spelled variously as Schwinder, Schwynder, Schwinderl, Schweinder and Schwinder.
In German, Schwinder translates into "pared" or "ney" and was mainly a toponymic name referring to those from the city of Schwinder. As a surname, it was likely derived from the city's name, as the practice of adding the suffix "er" or "ter" (meaning "somebody from") to place names became increasingly popular in Germany in the Middle Ages.
Schwinder is also a variant of Spindler, which is derived from the Middle High German word spindeler, meaning "spindle manufacturer". This name likely referred to a maker of spindles or bobbins or someone who owned a bobbin or spindle factory.
The German spelling of the surname can also appear in the variant forms Schwynder, Schwinderl and Schweinder. It is also alternatively spelled as Schwinderl or Schwynder or Schweinder when referring to the Lower German dialect. The variant Schwinder appears to be relatively rare when compared to the other spelling variants.
The surname may appear as Schwinderer, Shwinder and Shwinder, which are common spellings that appear in different languages and areas of Europe.
Surnames derived from Schwinder include the Lower German Schwinderl, Schwynder, Schwynder, Schweinder and Schwinder. They are also sometimes spelled as Schwinder and Schwinderer. It is also commonly found as a given name in the form of Schwinder.
Famous people with the name Schwinder
- Helmut Schwinder: German actor active in the 1960s.
- Eckhard Schwinder: German actor best known for his roles in the television series "Der Alte" and "Derrick."
- Hans-Günther Schwinder: German-Belgian athlete and politician.
- Kurt Schwinder: German actor who has performed in numerous TV films and series since the late 1990s.
- Tamara Schwinder: Austrian-born Spanish actress who has appeared in several TV series.
- Johannes Schwinder: German voice actor, best known for voicing characters in a variety of anime and video games.
- Michaela Schwinder: German singer and actress who has performed in multiple stages, films, commercials, and video games.
- Peter Schwinder: German TV actor who starred in TV series such as "Hallo, Onkel Doc," "Der Januskopf," and "Timm Thaler."
- Christine Schwinder: German journalist, author, and radio host best known for her work on NDR Talk Show.
- Heiner Schwinder: German TV host and actor best known for his roles in the series "In aller Freundschaft" and "Das Traumhotel."