Surname Szwiec - Meaning and Origin
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Szwiec: What does the surname Szwiec mean?
The last name Szwiec is of Polish origin and has a long history in the area. The name Szwiec translates to “swan” in Polish, which points to the strong connection the family has with Poland. It is believed that the name Szwiec was first used in the form of "Zigham Swyec" around the 14th century and that it means “one who shoos away swans” or “swan chaser". The origins of the family can be traced back to the region of Silesia in modern day Poland.
Throughout the centuries, the name has evolved to take on many different forms. Many of these variations were influenced by the different languages and dialects in Poland such as German, Czech, and Russian. There are a few names derived from the Szwiec surname such as Swayze, Szweic, Szwaja, Sviec, and Szwiech, among others.
Today, the Szwiec surname is still found in Poland and in Polish communities around the world. The name is still used to honor the long and proud history of the Szwiec family, which has been passed on for centuries and continues to be shared by those that carry this moniker.
Order DNA origin analysisSzwiec: Where does the name Szwiec come from?
The last name Szwiec is most commonly found among people of Polish or Slovak descent, or those with ancestors from one of these two countries. The name originates from the toponymical name Szuwa, referring to a location in or near present-day Slovakia and a possible occupational name for someone who worked in or around the area. In Poland, Szwiec is most commonly found in the regions of Silesia, Małopolska, and Podkarpacie, although some also have roots in the area around Warsaw.
In Slovakia, the name can be traced back to the villages of Szwaćńica, Mokorów, or Jeruzal, where Szwiec families have been recorded since the 1700s. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people in Slovakia have the Szwiec surname today.
It is also found in other central or eastern European countries like the Czech Republic, Belarus, and Ukraine, as well as the United States, where individuals of Slovak and Polish origin have settled in the past few decades.
Thus, the name Szwiec is still common today among people of Polish and Slovak descent, as well as those living in the Central or Eastern European countries and in the United States.
Variations of the surname Szwiec
The surname Szwiec is a Polish name derived from the ancient family name “Swiecki” or “Swiezicki” and originated from the place names “Swiece” and “Swiekow”. It is believed that the original family name referred to a person who lived in or near these places.
Variations of the Szwiec surname include Szwiecy, Szwieczek, Szwieczyk, Szwiecik, Szwiat, Swiece, Swiecka, Swiecieski, Swiech, Swiecicki, Swiecy, Swieka, Swiacki, Swiazk, and Swiatkiewicz. The surname can also be found as variations of Szwiekr, Swietak and Swietkiewicz in some regions.
The Szwiec spelling is a combination of the surnames Swiecy and Szwieczyk, and is believed to refer to an extended family belonging to the same lineage. The Swiecy variation is derived from the verb “swiecić”, which can mean “to shine” or “to radiate”. The Szwieczyk variation originates from the prefix “szwiec”, which can mean “bronze”.
Other spellings and variants of the Szwiec surname include Swiecki, Swietsky, Swietkowski, Swietoszewski, Swiego, Swierczk, Swierdzewski, Swicedkowski, Swiedzinski, and Swierzewski. The surname is also sometimes spelled with -sky or -ska or -siak/skiak at the end, as is typical with old Polish surnames. There are also some shortened versions of the original Szwiec spelling such as Swiec, Szwiec, and Swicz.
The Szwiec surname is quite rare in present times, but can still be found in various parts of Poland and other European countries as well as North America.
Famous people with the name Szwiec
- Piotr Szwiec: a professional footballer from Poland who signed with Lech Poznan in 2016 and currently plays for the club.
- Marcin Szwiec: a professional water polo player from Poland active since 2008 who most recently represented AZS Wroclaw.
- Lucyna Szwiec: an actress from Poland who has appeared in several television series and movies since the year 2000. She’s known for her performances in Kapitan Pazur and Kości z Fargo.
- Anna Szwiec: a musician from Poland who plays both the violin and viola. She has performed in various places and is frequently invited to festivals.
- Matthias Szwiec: a professional swimmer from Germany who holds the German record for the 400-meter freestyle. He won several medals at the 2017 FINA World Cup.
- Stanisław Szwiec: a politician from Poland who served as Marshal of the Sejm from 1997 to 2001.
- Aleksander Szwiec: a former football coach from Poland who served as an assistant coach for both Pogoń Szczecin and Wisła Płock, and managed Garbarnia Kraków.
- Witold Szwiec: a retired ski jumper from Poland who competed from 1989 to 2005. He won two bronze medals at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and a World Championship gold medal in 1993.
- Magdalena Szwiec: a sculptor from Poland who works mainly in wood and bronze. She has exhibited her artworks in many metropolitan cities across Europe.
- Eugeniusz Szwiec: a former Olympic cyclist from Poland active from 1976 to 1984. He competed at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Soviet Union.