Surname Zwart - Meaning and Origin

Zwart: What does the surname Zwart mean?

The last name Zwart is of Dutch origin, originating from the Dutch word for black. Its use as a surname likely has two distinct origins. In one case, it would have been used as an occupational name for a worker in black, such as a chimney sweep or for a dyer of fabric. Alternatively, it may have indicated that the bearer of the name had dark features, such as black eyes or black hair.

Other variations of the name, used in different parts of Europe, include Schwarz in German, Svart in Swedish and Schwarz in Yiddish.

The name could later spread to other countries, such as North America, where many Dutch immigrants settled.

As well as being used as a surname, Zwart is also used as both a given name and a placename in the Netherlands. It is used as a surname in numerous countries across the world, including Canada, Romania, Mexico, Finland, Sweden and South Africa.

Throughout its many iterations, the name Zwart has been and still is associated with the color black and may have indicated an occupation, physical appearance or simply indicated where one's family may have originated.

Zwart: Where does the name Zwart come from?

The last name Zwart is most commonly found today in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe. It is a topographical name stemming from the Dutch word "zwart," which translates to "black" or "dark." The Zwart surname is heavily concentrated in the Dutch provinces of North Holland andFriesland, and is especially prominent in the small town of Veendam in Groningen. Over the centuries, members of the Zwart family have spread across Europe and the world, ultimately making their surname one of the most recognisable Dutch surnames today.

Historians believe the Zwart surname originated as a name referring to a person's dark hair. In fact, some members of the family are known to have changed their last name from Zwart to another Dutch word for black, such as "Zwartz" and "Zwarte." Others, meanwhile, have embraced the 'Zwart' connection by assuming the Dutch-language variants of the surname, such as "van Zwarten" or "van der Zwarte."

Today, many families who trace their ancestry back to the Zwarts can find distant relatives all over the globe. Members of the Zwart family have assimilated into many different countries, including Germany, the United States, and Mexico. In addition, those of Dutch descent often take great pride in their family's history, and may still carry on the family's original surname.

Variations of the surname Zwart

The surname Zwart is of Dutch, Frisian and German origin, with the Dutch spelling meaning black and the German spelling meaning white. It is believed that the surname originated as a nickname for a dark person or someone considered gloomy or grim.

Variants of this surname include Zurawt, Zwert, Zwarte, Zwirt, Zwyrte, Zwirtz, Swarts, Swartz, Sworz, Schwarz, Svarts, Svartz and Svors.

In Germany and nearby countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland, the spelling Schwarz is the most common variant. This spelling may also used in countries like Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden. It is also quite common in the United States, although the spelling Svarts and Svartz is more common.

In the Netherlands, the spelling Zwart is the most common. Other variants found in the Netherlands include the more ancient spellings of Zuyrte, Zwert and Zurawte.

The various spellings and origin of the same surname may also be used as surnames. Variants of Zwart include Zwers, Zwirtz and Sworzes. These variants may also be used as surnames in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.

Famous people with the name Zwart

• Willem Zwart (1877-1960): Dutch cyclist who competed in the 1908, 1912, and 1920 Summer Olympics.
• Steven Zwart (born 1978): American professional soccer player.
• Meeuwis Zwart (born 2001): Dutch professional football player.
• Henk Zwart (1916-2010): Dutch cyclist who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Gerard Zwart (1924-2009): Dutch Olympic bicyclist.
• Pierre Zwart (born 1957): Dutch professional football player and manager.
• Jaap Zwart (1917-1971): Dutch mathematician and professor.
• Otto Zwart (1890-1981): Dutch painter and photographer.
• Willemijn Zwart (born 2001): Dutch professional basketball player.
• Louise Zwart (born 1938): Dutch politician.
• Henri Zwart (1890-1969): Dutch barrister and philosopher.
• Erik Zwart (born 1978): Dutch professional ice hockey player.
• Liesbeth Zwart (born 1957): Dutch public servant and diplomat.
• Cornelis Zwart (1878-1954): Dutch canoeist who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.
• Johan Zwart (1871-1942): Dutch philosopher and theologian.
• Wilko Zwart (born 1965): Dutch professional cyclist.

Other surnames

ZwarteZwartjes