Surname Schweikart - Meaning and Origin
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Schweikart: What does the surname Schweikart mean?
The last name Schweikart is derived from the old German name Schwiegerkart which roughly translates to ‘guardian of the fence/enclosure’. It is believed that the original bearers of this name were fence checkers, or those that watched over enclosed areas such as villages or fields. It is a quite a common surname throughout German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
In Germany a common spelling of the last name is Schwiegerkart. It became known as Schweikart in the areas that spoke Palatinate German, even if their spelling of it remained the same, Schwiegerkart. In Luxemburg and parts of France the spelling is Schwichert or Schwickert. The spelling in Austria and Switzerland is Schwikart.
The last name is quite ancient, its earliest known bearer was named STEMO SWINEHARDES from the late 13th century.
Schweikart is also a common Jewish surname, having been adopted by German Jews who had been persecuted and escaped during the 1800s. These Jews, who had escaped to other parts of Europe, adopted the last name, or perhaps it evolved to its current spelling, Schweikart.
Today this surname is still found quite often throughout Europe and in various parts of the world, and traces its roots back to its original bearers and significance; the guardians of the fence.
Order DNA origin analysisSchweikart: Where does the name Schweikart come from?
The last name Schweikart is primarily associated with German ancestry, particularly from the Rhineland region. It is a common last name throughout the German-speaking world in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as countries with historical German-speaking populations such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and parts of Eastern Europe.
Outside of Europe, the last name Schweikart has made its way to the United States, Canada, and Latin America through German immigrants who arrived in these countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is most common in the Midwest region of the United States, with a substantial presence in Minnesota, Kansas, and Wisconsin. In the larger cities of the US, particularly on the East Coast, the name can sometimes be found in the German-American enclaves which are found there.
Given the history of German emigration to other countries, it is likely that the last name Schweikart can be found in various other parts of the world. Australia and New Zealand, for example, both have large populations of German ancestry. Additionally, it is possible, although perhaps unlikely, that the family name has found its way to countries such as South Africa and Brazil, which have both received heavy German immigration in the past.
Variations of the surname Schweikart
Schweikart is an uncommon German surname which is thought to have evolved from areas of eastern Germany into Austria and Switzerland. Variations of the surname include Schweikhart, Schweikhard, Schweicker, Schweiker, Schwicker, Schwieger, Schwiegerhart, Schwiehardt, and Schwäger. The variants Schweiker/Schwicker are thought to originate from a word which refers to a person from an area known as Schwyz in Switzerland.
The Swiss-German spelling of the surname Schweikart is Schwykart, which is also used in some parts of Austria. The surname can also be found in its French form, Michelschweikart, when referring to families with French ancestry.
In Germany, the name is sometimes spelt with a "k" at the end, becoming Schweikartt or Schweickartt, and sometimes with two "k"s at the end, becoming Schweikkartt or Schweickkartt.
Overall, Schweikart is an uncommon surname and can have many different spellings and variants, but all of which originate from eastern Germany and are associated with Switzerland and Austria.
Famous people with the name Schweikart
- Larry Schweikart: an American historian, professor, author, and documentary producer.
- Elizabeth Schweikart: German-born American painter and sculptor.
- Craig Schweikart: Recording artist, music producer, vocalist and composer.
- Joseph Paul Schweikart: American classical composer and choral director.
- Penny Schweikart: American author, speaker, dancer, and entrepreneur.
- Paul Schweikart: American classical guitarist and composer.
- John Schweikart: American screenwriter and producer.
- Heather Lee Schweikart: American singer, songwriter, and violinist.
- Heidi Schweikart: American journalist and political commentator.
- Mitchell Schweikart: American businessman and entrepreneur.
- Gilbert Paul Schweikart: American microbiologist and science educator.
- Todd Schweikart: American contemporary realist painter.