Surname Schwandler - Meaning and Origin
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Schwandler: What does the surname Schwandler mean?
The last name Schwandler is of German and Jewish origin, having derived from the Old German words schwan meaning 'swan' and dler meaning 'dealer' or 'trader'. This indicates the name likely originates with someone who was either a swan salesman or a swan keeper, likely in a noble setting.
The first recorded instance of the Schwandler surname dates back to the early part of the thirteenth century in Germany, when a Heizmann Schwandler was granted an inheritance by Emperor Frederick. This makes the Schwandler family one of the oldest recorded European families.
Schwandlers can be found living in all parts of the world today, with the majority of the population concentrated in Germany and England. In modern society, the Schwandler name is still associated with swans, both in terms of a symbol of power and grace, and in the sense of keeping tradition alive.
The name Schwandler is a reminder of the powerful German empire that once reigned over Europe and its impact on the present. Those who bear the Schwandler name can take pride in their long-established family history and the part they have played in German history.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwandler: Where does the name Schwandler come from?
The last name Schwandler is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the United States Census Bureau, the surname Schwandler is most concentrated in the state of New York, followed by New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is estimated that as of 2017, there are 8,502 individuals with the last name of Schwandler living in the United States. As of 2020, the Schwandler surname ranked 5,227th for the most common last names in the country.
Outside of the United States, the last name Schwandler is still present in some countries in Europe. Specifically, the surname is known to be in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The frequency may be lower outside of the US, however, it is not uncommon to find the surname in these countries.
Although the surname has been present for centuries, the origins are not completely known. Funnily enough, the surname Schwandler is recorded to have a variety of spellings such as Schwandler, Schwendler, Schwandeler, Tshwendler, and Schwenderman. All of which are traceable to the same family, regardless of the various spellings.
In conclusion, the last name Schwandler is most commonly found in the United States and some neighboring countries in Europe. The exact origin of the name is still relatively unknown, however, it is traceable regardless of the various spellings it is known to have.
Variations of the surname Schwandler
The surname Schwandler has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origins. These variants range from the Germanic variants such as Schwandtner and Schwantner, to the French, published in official documents as Schwanpler. In some instances, Schwandler can be seen written as Schwändler, Schwändlerin and Schwendler. Additionally, some offshoot spellings list Schwandler’s spelling as Schwandelin and Schwandeling.
The origin of this last name – Schwandler – is found in German-speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The original spelling of this moniker was 'Schwan,' a word derived from the same root as the English word ‘swan.’ Therefore, the name Schwandler most likely began as an occupational name referring to a collector of swans, founder of a swam farm or who owned swans, or who may have even had a close relationship with a swan as a pet. The use of this last name is also thought to have some connection to similar words relating to a wanderer or someone who migrated, whom someone might refer to as a Schwandler or ‘wanderer’.
This name and its many variants can also be seen in other European countries such as Belgium, where it often takes the spelling Schontjes, or in Hungary, in cases of Slovak alienation of names, Schwandler can become Szvándi. At the same time, the Portuguese equivalent of the name is Schwandtner, while in Polish it is Schwendlinger. Other related names include Szwander, Swander, Szobesz, and Seoffner.
In the United States, due to the more limited immigration methods, this surname has become less common, although examples can be found occasionally. However, many of the descendants of Schwandler immigrants adopted spelling and surname changes over the centuries, taking on surnames such as Shandler, Shendeler, and Shondler.
Famous people with the name Schwandler
- Harry Schwandler: Golden-Age Hollywood actor known for roles in films like 1943's "Jitterbugs" and 1945's "Roughly Speaking."
- Logan Schwandler: Child actor who has appeared in several television series and films, including 2018's "God Friended Me."
- Lisa Schwandler: Short film director and editor.
- Irv Schwandler: Hollywood film producer.
- Eilon Schwandler: Israeli Olympic judoka.
- Don Schwandler: Voice-over actor who lent his talents to projects like 2018's "Dr. Squatch's Soap Commercial" and "The Rich Hipster's Guide to Getting Rich."
- Frances Schwandler: Canadian poet and teacher.
- Will Schwandler: Award-winning cinematographer, known for his work on 2005's "Friends with Money" and 2013's "Gravity."
- Phoebe Schwandler: Fashion designer and founder of Schwandler Studio.
- Scott Schwandler: Stand-up comedian and actor.