Surname Schweigger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Schweigger: What does the surname Schweigger mean?
The surname Schweigger most likely originated from Germany. According to records from the region, it was first seen in Austria in the early 18th century. The surname was adopted by individuals living in the towns of Schweigg, Feistritz, Klasserow, and Dittersbach located in Austria.
The root of the name is the Middle High German ‘swigger’, which means ‘servant’ or ‘house servant’. Individuals with this surname were most likely in the employ of a particular landowner and were given the moniker of ‘Schweigger’ to distinguish themselves from other families or from others of the same name.
Some sources suggest that the surname was derived from a combination of the word ‘schweig’, meaning silence, and the word ‘er’ meaning ‘man’. This interpretation could be indicative of someone who was a servant for an aristocratic family, and who was not permitted to share or divulge any secrets they learned in the line of duty.
The surname is found across parts of Europe, most notably in Austria and Germany. It has since spread to other areas and countries including the United States. It is a common surname that is believed to have over 100 variations and can be found across multiple languages.
Order DNA origin analysisSchweigger: Where does the name Schweigger come from?
The last name Schweigger is very common in Germany today, particularly in the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. It is also present in the neighbouring countries of Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. This surname is derived from the Middle High German word “schweiger”, meaning “silent one”. The name likely originates from a profession - perhaps the name Schweigger referred to a man known for his silence or discretion, or alternatively, someone who worked in the printing industry.
The famous architect, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, also bore the last name Schweigger. His father, Johann Wilhelm Schweigger, was a notable pastor in Brandenburg. The illustrious composer Ludwig van Beethoven was also said to be a distant descendant of Schweiggers.
Swiss Schweiggers have been present since the early 1800s, particularly around the city of Zurich. This family is likely descended from the earlier German Schweiggers who immigrated to Switzerland in the 16th century to escape religious persecution in their homeland.
Today, there can be found many people with the last name Schweigger living in the German-speaking region, excluding the former eastern parts of Germany. Their presence is also felt in the United States, where the Schweigger family name has been present since the mid-1800s.
Variations of the surname Schweigger
The variants, spellings and surnames of Schweigger include Schweiger, Schweiggers, Schvigger, Schwager, and Schwiggert. Austrian and southern German Schlegel, which is commonly found in documents from the 1600s, is thought to be a variant of Schweigger as well.
Schweigger literally means "one who is skilled in change" and is a combination of two German words: "schweig" meaning "inventive, skillful," and "er," meaning "one who." The surname is thought to originate from the Middle High German word "schwegersaro," which is a derivation of the Old High German word "swigiraz."
Schweigger name holders are found throughout early German-speaking Europe, including records from the 1500s in the archive of Torun, Poland,, the 1600s in documents from Germany and Bavaria, the 1700s in records from Mödling, Austria, and the 1800s in Austria, Belgium and the United States.
The Schweigger name holders have been described as "skilled silversmiths and adventurous travelers who settled around the world in places like Latvia and England." They’ve also been known to be "dedicated hard workers who have served in the armed forces, the police and in the industrial sector."
No matter where they've gone or what they've done, Schweigger name holders have continued to leave their mark on the world with their sense of creativity and skill.
Famous people with the name Schweigger
- Johann Adam Schweigger (1779-1857): German physician and chemist.
- Konrad Sweigert (1760-1826): German theologian and naturalist.
- Carl Schweigger (1800-1860): German jurist and lexicographer.
- Wilhelm Schweigger (1822-1868): German mathematician and physicist.
- Wilhelmine Schweigger-Cruse (1855-1935): German sculptor.
- Katie Schweigert (1909-1984): American actress.
- Ulother Schweigger (1896-1978): German doctor and medical educator.
- Eugene Schweigger (1922-1962): German writer and psychologist.
- John Schweigert (born 1959): American lacrosse coach.
- Gegard Schweiger (born 1984): German footballer.