Surname Schwägerl - Meaning and Origin
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Schwägerl: What does the surname Schwägerl mean?
The last name Schwägerl is of German origin. It is thought to have derived from a topographic name that referred to someone living near an alley or a lane. The term Schwägerl was used to refer to a small side-street or back alley.
Over time, the name began to be used as a surname, eventually becoming the family name of those related to the original person who lived near a Schwägerl.
The name Schwägerl is very common throughout Germany and Austria and it is often found in records, as far back as the 16th century in some cases.
The literal meaning of Schwägerl is “little brother,” although it is thought that this is not necessarily a reference to someone’s literal brother. Instead, it could be seen as a sign of affection or endearment - signifying that one person became particularly close to another and became like a little brother to them.
In some instances, the surnames Schwägerl, Schwager, or a variation of either may have also been used to refer to a man from a different area, with the implication that he was like a little brother to those living in the local vicinity. Whatever the true meaning of Schwägerl may be, the name continues to be in use in Germany and Austria today.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwägerl: Where does the name Schwägerl come from?
The surname Schwägerl is most common today in Germany and Austria, as well as countries in the German diaspora, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is of ultimately Germanic origin, deriving from an old German term meaning 'relative or in-law'.
In Germany and Austria, Schwägerl is among the most common surnames, ranking in the top 500 and 1000 respectively. In the United States, it is particularly common in the Midwest, where many early German migrants settled. In states such as Indiana and Wisconsin, the name is among the top 2,000.
In Canada, Schwägerl is also relatively common, with approximately 1,500 people having it as their last name. This suggests these inhabitants are descended from German settlers.
In Australia, Schwägerl is more uncommon, with only a few people bearing the surname.
Overall, Schwägerl is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, the United States, and Canada. It is also occasionally found in Australia, as a result of German immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Schwägerl
The surname Schwägerl is of German origin. It may be spelt Schwaegerl, Schwagerl, Schwäger, Schwager, Schwagerin, Schwaeglin and Schwagerlin. This is a patronymic name derived from an ancestor's Christian name beginning with 'Schwag-' meaning strength.
The surname Schwaegerl may have many variants and spellings, but they are all derived from the same origin and share a common history. It is possible to trace the history of the surname to the Middle Ages in parts of Germany. During this time, names underwent various changes due to a lack of fixed spelling conventions. As Free Imperial Cities and States rose in importance during the 17th and 18th centuries, the number of people with the surname increased as many moved from one place to another.
Variants of the Schwaegerl surname may also signify different branches of the same family descending from distant relatives. In some cases, these separate branches led to different surnames being adopted. For example, many of the Schwager and Schwagerin families originated from the Schwaegerl clan, but the spelling of the surname changed over time.
It is also possible for the spelling of a surname to change due to transliteration between languages. This often happens with immigrants to foreign countries, as their original surname may not make sense in the new language, so the spelling is changed to a more phonetic alternative.
Sometimes, a surname may be re-adopted in another language and as a consequence the spelling could be changed. As surnames evolve over time there can be a variety of spellings that all carry the same origin and meaning. Therefore, it is important to research the various variants when looking into family histories.
Famous people with the name Schwägerl
- Martin R. Schwägerl: German freelance author, journalist, photographer, filmmaker, and popular science writer.
- Antje Schwägerl: German professor at the Science Journalism program at Munich’s Technical University
- Eric Schwägerl: American professor at the University of Tampa who has studied the influence of emerging technologies on policies relating to the environment, security, and commerce
- Ralph C. Schwägerl: German professor at the Technical University of Berlin
- Sabine Schwägerl: German professor at the University of Bochum
- Alfred H. Schwägerl: German schoolteacher and author of several textbooks for the teaching of German
- Irene G. Schwägerl: German Professor Emerita at the University of Heidelberg
- Karl-Heinz Schwägerl: German professor of history and paleography at the University of Tübingen
- Michael Schwägerl: German professor at the University of Mannheim
- Andreas Schwägerl: German professor at the University of British Columbia who has conducted numerous research projects on international corporate law and global business relationships