Surname Schwink - Meaning and Origin
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Schwink: What does the surname Schwink mean?
Schwink is a surname of German origin. Like many surnames, it would have initially served as an identifier based on certain characteristic or occupation, or even the region someone lived in. The specific meaning of "Schwink" is not well-documented, making it difficult to determine its exact origin or meaning. It is possible that it may derive from "Schwenk," a German surname referring to someone who made or sold swivel hooks, or from the Middle High German "schwanc", meaning "swing" or "swaying". This might indicate a person with an expressive or variable nature or someone involved in an occupation related to motion or swinging. However, due to the many regional dialects in German language and the changes in language over time, it is hard to ascertain a definite meaning. Tracing the genealogy and geographics of individuals bearing the Schwink name might provide further clues to the origin and meaning of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwink: Where does the name Schwink come from?
The last name Schwink is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This family name is derived from the High German "schwein", meaning "wild boar". It is believed to have originated from the name of a place in Germany or Switzerland where wild boar were particularly abundant, and it is possible that a forebear of the current bearers of this name may have been employed in the hunting and trapping of wild boar. There are also some bearers of this name in North America, in Canada and the United States, who may be descended from recent immigrants from Germany or their descendants. Schwink may also be found in parts of South America and Australia, but these are much less likely to be related to the origins of the German group. It is speculated that various individuals with this name may have also migrated to other parts of the world due to political or economic reasons.
In Germany, the Schwink surname is mainly found in the regions of Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg. In Austria, it is concentrated in the states of Upper Austria and Vorarlberg, while in Switzerland it is primarily located chiefly in the canton of Basel-Stadt.
Variations of the surname Schwink
The surname Schwink is a German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word “Swinc”, meaning “turning” or “twisting”. Historically, individuals bearing this surname may have been smiths who specialized in turning or forging metal objects.
The surname Schwink may have multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Schwenicke, Schwank, Schwenke, Schwenk, Schwenke, Schweinke, Schwincke, Schwink, Schweink, Schwebke, Schwiebke, Schwenke, Shvank, Shweink and Shwink.
The surname Schwink is also thought to be related to another Middle High German word “schwinken”, which means “to swing, sway, or joust”. This suggests that individuals bearing the surname Schwink may have been skilled jousters, or may have worked as jousters.
In German records, the surname Schwink is found prominently in the regions of Mecklenburg, Brandenburg, Silesia, Pomerania, Prussia, and Saxony. In America, the variant Schwenk was the most commonly found form of the name. Immigrants bearing the Schwink surname first appeared in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Today, the surname Schwink can be found in many parts of the world, with the most common forms being Schwink, Schwenke, and Schwenk. It is also possible to find the variant families in America by searching for records on genealogical websites.
Famous people with the name Schwink
- Werner Schwink: German rower and Olympic gold and bronze medalist.
- Otto Schwink: German artist and sculptor.
- John Hugh Schwink: American politician from Maryland.
- Jeff Schwink: Canadian football player.
- Molly Schwink: American actress.
- Arnold Schwink: German sculptor and designer.
- Edward Schwink: American artist and investor.
- Kelly Schwink: American photographer.
- Henry Schwink: German artist and painter.
- Thomas Schwink: German architect and sculptor.
- August Schwink: German composer and classical guitarist.
- Rebecca Schwink: American operatic soprano.
- Michael Schwink: Australian actor.
- Udo Schwink: German sculptor.
- Karine Schwink: French political scientist.
- Mariangela Schwink: Argentinian painter.
- Ed Schwink: American saxophonist and composer.
- Pierre Schwink: Swiss artist and illustrator.
- Simona Schwink: German actress.
- Richard Schwink: American artist and sculptor.