Surname Schwindler - Meaning and Origin
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Schwindler: What does the surname Schwindler mean?
The last name Schwindler is of German origin and is derived from the term “schwindeln” which means to deceive or to fib. In the Middle Ages, the Schwindler family was known for their dishonesty and smooth-talking ways as they could often be found exaggerating the truth or lying in order to get ahead.
The surname is found throughout Germany, as well as other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is most likely a reference to a particular profession or role that a person held, such as a traveling merchant or a con artist.
Due to their surname, the Schwindler family has a reputation for being dishonest. But this is not always the case. In fact, many Schwindlers have used their skills in communication and negotiation for more honorable ends. Some notable examples include the pioneering psychoanalyst Wilhelm Schwindler, noted biologist Arnold Schwindler, and the accomplished film producer Paul Schwindler.
The Schwindler family has a long history of providing good, honest services and contributing to society in meaningful ways. Although their name evokes images of trickery, the Schwindlers have been honest, hard working members of their community for generations and will continue to do so for years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwindler: Where does the name Schwindler come from?
The last name Schwindler is a German surname, and it is still most common in German-speaking countries and in areas settled by German-speaking people. The surname is found in both Germany and Austria, and is also present in the Swiss canton of Schwyz. Additionally, the Netherlands has a concentration of Schwindler's in the southeast of the country, where German settled during the 17th century.
Furthermore, there are Schwindler's living in other countries with German-speaking minorities, such as in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Schwindler's are also present in many other countries around the world, as people migrated out of their homelands in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, there are Schwindler's living in the United States, Canada, France, Australia, and other countries with large German populations.
Finally, Schwindler's originated from the Rhineland, specifically from the village of Schwindel near Cologne. It was first found there in the 13th century, and it is possible that it was a nickname given to a person from that area, derived from the Old High German word ‘schwandals’, which means ‘goggle-eyed’.
Variations of the surname Schwindler
The surname Schwindler is a German occupational surname derived from the word “schwindeln”, which means “to skedaddle” or “to deceive”. People who bore this name were traditionally considered to be swindlers or traders of shoddy goods. Over time, the surname has been adapted into several variant spellings and surnames, including Schwandler, Swindler, Schwender, Schwenderle, and Schwinder.
The English version of the name is Swindler or Swindle. This spelling is commonly used in America, where many immigrants of German descent settled. The variant Swindler reflects the German pronunciation of the name better, and this spelling is more commonly used in English-speaking countries.
The Dutch version of the surname is Schwanderer. This spelling is still used by many descendants of German immigrants in the Netherlands. Another Dutch version of the surname is Schoenmaker, which means “shoemaker” and is the old German word for a cobbler.
In Germany, the variant Schwenderle is most popular. This spelling was derived from the Old German word “schwindelern”, meaning “to wander”. This variant may have been used to denote someone who was a trader, travelling from one place to another to sell goods.
In Hungary, the Hungarian spelling of the surname is Szendrényi, derived from the word “szender”, which means “peddler”. It is also present in the Czech Republic as Senderák and in Slovakia as Senderák.
In France, the surname Schwender is used. It is a French version of the German surname, derived from the French words “écouvente”, meaning “to deceive” and “rouvente”, meaning “to haggle”.
Overall, the surname Schwindler has been adapted into many variants, spellings, and surnames all over the world. Depending on which countries the name originated from, these variants have been used to better reflect their culture and language.
Famous people with the name Schwindler
- Kurt Schwindler: Kurt Schwindler was a German tennis player in the 1910s and 1920s. He was one of the best players of the era, winning the German and European championship titles several times between 1909 and 1927.
- Anton Schwindler: Anton Schwindler (1490–1561) was a German scholar from Freiburg, who is mainly remembered as the author of numerous books and treatises of astrology and alchemy.
- Magnus Schwindler: Magnus Schwindler (1912–1970) was a German racing cyclist, who won the gold medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Harry Schwindler: Harry Schwindler (1877–1949) was a German photographer, famous for his photos of the early 20th-century German lifestyle.
- James Schwindler: James Schwindler (born 1972) is an American guitarist, best known as a past member of the rock band Dream Theater.
- Marino Schwindler: Marino Schwindler (born 1969) is an Italian artist, known for his large-scale environmental sculpture projects.
- Dave Schwindler: Dave Schwindler (born 1967) is an American musician, who is the former lead guitarist for the rock band Train.
- Joseph Schwindler: Joseph Schwindler (1903–1973) was a German landscape painter and printmaker, who is best known for his earlier works depicting rural landscapes in southern Germany.