Surname Zwiebler - Meaning and Origin
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Zwiebler: What does the surname Zwiebler mean?
The Zwiebler surname is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word “swibeler”, which means “to wield”. This is an occupationally derived surname that originated as a nickname for a person who was a blacksmith or a skilled swordsman. It might also have been bestowed on a person who was noted for agility or movements resembling a squirrel’s action of vigorously shaking its tail.
The Zwieblers are believed to have originated from Germany and eventually settled in other parts of the world. The surname is found in France, Austria, America, England, and Holland. In Germany, the surname is particularly common in the Bavarian region.
The Zwiebler family have been known to be involved in various occupations and trades; some have been farmers, merchants, and barons. They have also gained recognition in other areas, such as academics, due to the renowned scientist, Han Zwiebler, who was a specialist in cancer research.
The Zwiebler name is associated with strength and resilience, qualities which are epitomized in the Zwiebler family motto “Wir Sollen Denken”, which translates to “we should think”. Obviously, the Zwieblers take pride in the power of the mind and are advocates for intellectual advancement. The Zwieblers are proud of their family legacy and are likely to carry on the societal contributions of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisZwiebler: Where does the name Zwiebler come from?
The last name Zwiebler is mainly found in Germany today. It is a relatively uncommon name, but it is not rare. It is thought to be derived from a German word zweig or zwiebel, meaning a "twig" or an "onion," respectively. The earliest known recorded facts of the surname date back to the 16th century in the area of southern Germany, particularly Bavaria.
Today, the Zwiebler name is primarily found in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse. It is also found in German-speaking parts of Austria, Switzerland, and Alsace-Lorraine. In North America, the Zwiebler name is found in significant numbers in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Emigration records from Germany reveal that many Zwieblers are descendants of the German Palatines, who left their homeland due to religious persecution in the 18th century. Others have moved to the United States for economic or educational opportunities.
The Zwiebler name is also common in other countries, such as Canada, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa. In Brazil, the name is sometimes spelled Zwibel or Zweibler.
While the Zwiebler name can still be found in Germany, it is likely that several generations have now spread and dispersed outside of the original homeland. The Zwiebler family members no longer inhabit the same parts of Germany they once did. Instead, the dispersed populations are now found in more countries than ever before.
Variations of the surname Zwiebler
The surname Zwiebler has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common is Zweibler. Variations also include Zwieber, Zwiebler, Zwiegler, Zwiessler and Zwigl.
The origin of the surname is most likely German (or perhaps Austrian). The root of the name is probably "Zwieg" which is a diminutive of the German word "Zwiebel", which literally means "onion". This likely referred to a person who was involved in trade of onions or another kind of allium.
Another possible origin of the surname is the Middle High German words “zwibel” or “zwibeln” which both mean purple (or dark red). This may have referred to a person with red hair or someone who was a dyer of fabric.
Variants of the surname Zweibler include Zwegler, Zweibuer, Zweibuhler, Zweikel, Zweilinger and Zweistadter. These names are most likely to have originated in areas where German was spoken such as what is now Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and parts of Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Lastly, some variants of Zwiebler could have been derived from the surname Swiepler which is similar in spelling and pronunciation. Swiepler is a variation of Schwiep which itself originated from Schwep, which is German for "brush". This could have referred to a person who was a brushmaker, or someone who maintained a brush shop.
Famous people with the name Zwiebler
- Dieter Zwiebler: a professional German tennis player who has been ranked at a career-high of World No. 81 in singles and World No. 44 in doubles.
- Felix Zwiebler: a retired professional tennis player from Germany. He reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 246 in July 2010.
- Ralf Zwiebler: a former professional tennis player from Germany. He won two doubles titles (in Nussloch and Itaparica) and reached a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 127 in May 1992.
- Denise Zwiebler: a retired professional female tennis player from Germany. She reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of 294 in January 1996.
- Stephan Zwiebler: a German badminton player who won the gold and bronze medal at the 2019 European Games. He also won a bronze medal at the European Mixed Team Championships in 2018.
- Sven Zwiebler: the CEO of L’Orange, a German engineering company that produces specialized machinery, drives, and control systems.
- Ferdinand Zwiebler: a contemporary German conductor who studied conducting at the University of Music, Munich.
- Maria Zwiebler: a former professional female tennis player from Germany. She reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of 216 in October 1998.
- Matthias Zwiebler: a prominent German entrepreneur and the current CEO of Schufa Holding AG.
- Martin Zwiebler: a former German badminton player who won the gold medal at the 2005 European Championships.