Surname Schwital - Meaning and Origin
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Schwital: What does the surname Schwital mean?
The last name Schwital is of German origin and is believed to have derived from two different words. One is “schwitt” or “schwitzt” meaning sweat or perspiration and the second is “alt” meaning old or ancient. Put together, they are thought to mean “old sweat”—likely an occupational name for a tanner, someone who works with animal hides and leather.
Schwital is also an established surname among Jews, likely having originated in the Jewish diaspora. In Jewish communities the name might mean “he who came to sweat” or “he who arrived late.” The name might also be related to the Hebrew word “shvut,” meaning “turned” or “returned.”
Schwital is currently found among Jews and non-Jews in Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Scandinavia, and the United States. It is also sometimes spelled “Shvital,” “Schvìtál,” “Schweytal,” “Sweytal,” or “Schweetal” and is occasionally found in the form “Vital,” which is a variation of Schwital. Regardless of the spelling, the meaning and origin of the name is generally attributed to either the German word for sweat or the Hebrew word for returned.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwital: Where does the name Schwital come from?
The last name Schwital is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in Bavaria. This is an old German name derived from the word "schwitter" meaning "cobbler". It's believed to have originated in the 16th century and was most likely bestowed upon an ancestor of the family who worked as a cobbler. It is now a common last name throughout the country, but its popularity is mainly concentrated in the region of Bavaria. Some variations of the name include Schwittel, Schwitsel, Schwester, Schwit, Schwitalla, and Schwitgen.
The Schwital surname is also found in other countries around the world. It is found in Austria, the United States, Canada, and even South Africa. Outside of Germany, it is–unsurprisingly–less common. It is believed that the Schwital name first spread outside of Europe with German immigrants to the United States in the 19th century.
Overall, the Schwital surname is an ancient German name that has stood the test of time. It remains widely found in Germany today, but its popularity is also growing in other parts of the world as German immigrants establish themselves in new countries and cultures.
Variations of the surname Schwital
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Schwital are Schwittal, Schwitztaler, Schwetzler, Schwetzener, Schwetzinger, Schvitztaler, Schwiztaler, Schvitzler and Schwienk.
Schwittal is a variant of the surname Schwital which is usually found in Bavaria and Austria. It is believed to be derived from the German word 'schwitzen' which means 'to sweat', suggesting that the original bearer of the name may have worked in a laborious capacity.
Schwetzler is a variation of Schwittal, frequently found in Austria and Bavaria. It is thought to be a derivative of the old High German word 'swizzen', which translates into 'to cut grass'.
Schwetzener is a variant of Schwenthal, found primarily in Germany and Austria, and is believed to be derived from the old Germanic word 'swaz', meaning 'swampy'.
Schwetzinger is a derivative of the name Schwitztaler, and is believed to be of Germanic origin. It is thought to have originated in Germany or Austria, and is believed to be derived from the old German 'swizzen', meaning 'to cut grass'.
Schvitztaler is a variation of the name Schwitztaler, which is primarily found in Austria and Bavaria. It is believed to be derived from the old Germanic word 'swizzen', which translates into 'to cut grass'.
Schwiztaler is an alternative spelling of Schwitztaler, and is of Germanic origin. It is likely derived from the old Germanic word 'swizzen', meaning 'to cut grass'.
Schvitzler is a variant of Schwitzer, meaning 'dweller near a swampy area'. It is predominantly found in Germany or Austria, and is likely derived from the old German 'swaz', meaning 'swampy'.
Schwienk is an anglicized version of the surname Schwittal or Schwitzer, and it is believed to be derived from the Old German 'swaz', meaning 'swampy'.
Famous people with the name Schwital
- Lev Schwital: a Russian entomologist, considered one of the founders of modern Russian entomology and referred to as the father of Russian insect morphology.
- Scott Schwital: an American lawyer and administrative law judge from Baltimore, Maryland.
- Robert Schwital: a German racecar driver from Wuppertal, Germany who competed in several events from 1966 to 1975.
- Esther Schwital: an Austrian Channel swimmer who became the first woman to reach the shore of Great Britain from France.
- Erwin Schwital: an Austrian skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics.
- Ernst Schwital: a German military pilot involved in WW1 and known for his impressive aerial acrobatics.
- Vladimir Schwital: a Soviet statesman from Ukraine who played an important role the Soviet Union's World War II efforts.
- Mercedes Schwital: an American athlete and member of the 1932 US Olympic diving team who also acted in several films and appeared in commercials.
- Juri Schwital: an art curator and director of the Moscow Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.
- Haydn Schwital: a British businessperson who was the first to introduce vacuum cleaners to the UK and Ireland in the late 19th century.