Surname Swope - Meaning and Origin
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A Fascinating Journey into the Swope Surname through iGENEA DNA Test
Unveiling intriguing insights into my lineage, my iGENEA DNA test did an incredible job of tracing the historical journey of the Swope surname. This name carries a rich tapestry of history, from origins rooted in Central Europe interlinked with the British Isles to early settlers in North America.
U. Swope
read moreSwope: What does the surname Swope mean?
The surname Swope is of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word "swaeb" meaning Swabian, a person from the region of Swabia. Hence, it is often considered a geographical or regional surname. Those with the name Swope are typically descendants of individuals from Swabia, a historical region in Southwest Germany. The name could have been used to refer to people originating from this area who had moved elsewhere. During the Middle Ages, it was commonplace for people to be recognized by their place of origin, especially when they moved to a new area. So, the surname Swope might have been initially used to differentiate people of Swabian descent living in different regions. Nevertheless, the interpretation of surnames is not an exact science and can vary based on historical and cultural contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisSwope: Where does the name Swope come from?
The last name Swope is mainly found in the United States today. It is considered to be an American surname and those with the last name Swope are mainly descendants from German immigrants who settled in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Swope families can be found mainly concentrated in Pennsylvania and also Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and even California. They’re also common in Virginia, New York, Michigan, Indiana, and North Carolina. Smaller numbers of Swopes are scattered throughout other parts of the United States such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey.
The Swope surname originated from the German Schwaab last name. This was derived from a nickname for a German origin, Schwab, which translates to “one with a broad face.” This was likely due to a rounded face or facial features.
In the United States, the Swope family began to settle in Pennsylvania in the late 1700s. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the mid-1800s. During this time, they spread out to the states of Kentucky, Illinois, and even California.
Today, many members of the American Swope family have retained their German origin with many American descendants tracing their roots back to the 1800s. There are several Swope family organizations in the United States that are dedicated to preserving the heritage and legacy of the Swope family.
Variations of the surname Swope
The surname Swope has several variants and spellings. They are Swoppe, Schwope, Schoppe, Swoope, Shope, Shape, Schape, Schoep, Swope,Shape, Schopf, Schoepf, Schoup, Schoupe, Schwab, Schwapp, Schwerdtfeger, and Schwertfeger.
Swoppe is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German verb schwopen or schoppen which means to move. This surname originated from an occupational name for a shopkeeper or an agent who travelled from place to place selling wares. It could also refer to a “schwopf”, which was someone who bought and sold goods on a commission basis.
Schwope is also of German origin and is derived from the same Middle High German verb schwopen or schoppen. This variant of the surname can also be derived form the German word “schwab” which means swamp.
Swoope is an alternate spelling of Swope which is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German verb schwoppen or schoppen. It could also be derived form the German term “swoopen” which means to move quickly.
Shope derives from the Middle English word “schop” meaning shopkeeper or vendor and is of English origin.
Shape is a variant of the Swope family and is derived from the Middle English schap meaning shape. This surname was given to someone with excellent craftsmanship.
Schopf, Schoepf and Schoupe are German variants of the surname Swope and originate from Middle High German schopf meaning top. It was an occupational name for someone who made the tops of shoes.
Schwab, Schwapp, Schwerdtfeger and Schwertfeger are all German variants of Swope and are derived from the Middle High German word schwab meaning “swamp”. It was an occupational name for someone who collected taxes from those who used the swamps for fishing.
Famous people with the name Swope
- Charles Swope: an American inventor and patentee of a method to manufacture stearic acid on a commercial scale.
- Wilbur Swope: an American impressionist painter who depicted children's faces and activities as well as landscape scenes.
- Richard Swope: a software engineer who worked on NASA's Deep Impact mission and other scientific projects for Goddard Space Flight Center.
- Gloria Swope: an American photographer known for her work shooting portraits of celebrities, politicians, and royalty in the entertainment world.
- William Swope: an American politician and printer who served in both the Delaware General Assembly and the United States House of Representatives.
- Kelly Swope: a former professional American football player who played in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Bruce Swope: a former professional American football quarterback who spent ten seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- John Swope: an American cinematographer best known for his work on films such as The Graduate and Grease.
- Lynn Swope: a former Major League Baseball infielder who spent three seasons in the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Jennifer Swope: an American actress who has appeared in critically acclaimed films and television series such as How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory.