Surname Schweickert - Meaning and Origin
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Schweickert: What does the surname Schweickert mean?
The last name Schweickert is an occupational surname that is of German origin and can be found mainly in the German-speaking parts of Europe. It is derived from the word ‘Schweiker’ which was the German term for a ‘shepherd’. Therefore, the last name Schweickert means ‘shepherd’.
The term ‘shepherd’ would have been used to describe a person who tended and reared sheep and other livestock for a living. This type of occupation was popular throughout Europe before mechanisation began to take its place in agricultural industries.
Therefore, having the last name Schweickert indicates that one of one’s ancestors was likely a shepherd. While the name is clearly associated with the German-speaking parts of Europe, it has spread from there to parts of North America and Australia.
Despite the fact that ‘shepherd’ as an occupation is no longer common in the modern world, the last name Schweickert can be found in many countries today. For those who have this surname, this provides a strong connection to one’s roots and a piece of history that otherwise may have been lost.
Order DNA origin analysisSchweickert: Where does the name Schweickert come from?
The surname Schweickert appears to be mostly concentrated in Germany, Austria, and South Africa. In Germany, Schweickert is generally found in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Its exact origin is unclear, but it was likely created as a combination of two German words: schweicher (ie. quiet) plus kert (ie. gardener).
In Austria, Schweickert’s presence is mostly seen in the state of Tirol and in the capital city of Vienna. Here it is a very old surname, first recorded in the late 1700s.
In South Africa, the name Schweickert first arrived with German immigrants following the Great Trek of the 1830s and 1840s. Today, Schweickerts can be found in all of South Africa’s nine provinces, though most are clustered in the provinces of Gauteng and Western Cape.
Overall, the surname Schweickert is not extremely common in any one location. However, its presence can be found in Germany, Austria, and South Africa, though it it is generally most concentrated in Germany.
Variations of the surname Schweickert
The surname Schweickert is a variation of the German surname Schwiekert. While the name is primarily spelled as Schweickert, it is also spelled in various forms such as Schwiekert, Swiekert, Schwiekhard, Schwecke, Sweekert, and Swickert. This surname originated from central Germany, and has been adopted in many countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, England, Australia, and many parts of the world.
The name originated as a form of middle high German, meaning ‘sword hard’. In other words, individuals bearing the name were likely those who worked with swords or were described as ‘strong’. This also could have been a name given to soldiers who were particularly adept at combat.
In many parts of the world, this surname can still be found. Americans of German descent who adopted this name may have encountered the various spellings along the way. Spelling variants of the surname may often depend on the region it is found in. Other spellings are likely to exist because of various translations and the natural way language evolves over time.
Swiss researchers Charles and Mary Schwiekert even wrote a book called ‘Schwiekerts of Switzerland,’ which featured the history of the Schweickert name and its various spellings throughout the centuries.
In conclusion, the surname Schweickert is a variation of the German name Schwiekert. It has several spellings such as Schwiekhard, Schwecke, Sweekert, and Swickert, and may be encountered in different variations depending on the country. People bearing this surname are likely descended from individuals who worked with swords, or were considered strong.
Famous people with the name Schweickert
- Michael Schweickert: Michael Schweickert is a professional BMX rider from St. Louis, Missouri. He is an X Games gold medalist and has 3 Dew Tour wins to his name.
- Lorraine Schweickert: Lorraine Schweickert is a Chicago based life and wellbeing experts. She is a certified health coach, group fitness instructor, speaker and advocate for holistic health.
- William Schweickert: William Schweickert is an actor and musician from the United States. He has appeared in plays and movies as well as on television and radio. He is also a singer/songwriter.
- Robert Schweickert: Robert Schweickert is a retired professional hockey player and a 2015 inductee into the US Hockey Hall of Fame. He played 11 seasons in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota North Stars.
- Dave Schweickert: Dave Schweickert is an American politician who represented the 43rd district in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2010. He is currently the mayor of Red Bluff, California.
- Forrest E. Schweickert: Forrest E. Schweickert was a Major General in the US Army from 1915 to 1946. After his military service, he served as Vice President of United States Steel.
- Michael M. Schweickert: Michael M. Schweickert is a Brigadier General in the US Air Force. He serves as the Vice Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory.
- Taylor Schweickert: Taylor Schweickert is a professional golfer who competes on the LPGA Tour and is a member of the US Solheim Cup team. She has made several cuts on the tour and is looking to break into the top 100 in the world.
- Ed Schweickert: Ed Schweickert is a professional photographer and photojournalist. He is based in Seattle, Washington and specializes in wedding, event and lifestyle photography.
- Leslie Schweickert-Vagues: Leslie Schweickert-Vagues is a retired professional tennis player who won two WTA singles titles. She is currently the Head Women's Tennis Coach at her alma mater Clemson University.