Surname Schweiker - Meaning and Origin
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Schweiker: What does the surname Schweiker mean?
The surname Schweiker is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German form of the personal name Swiger. This name is composed of the elements swig, which means "exciting," and er, a suffix denoting an occupation or status. As a result, Schweiker translates to "one who is exciting" or "stirrer up; rouser."
The popularity of this name is thought to have originated due to its association with the Knights of the Teutonic Order, one of the largest European Military Orders of the Middle Ages. The Order was founded in 1190 in Acre, Palestine, by German crusaders and was established for the purpose of promoting Christianity and protecting the Holy Land from any possible threats. The Order became a significant political and military power in Europe and were known by several names, including Fratres Militiae Christi (Brothers of the Sword of Christ) and Deutscher Orden (German Order).
Until the mid-1800s, the surname Schweiker was usually found in Northern Bavaria and the Palatinate. Today, the name is fairly widespread throughout Germany, due to increased interregional mobility in the 19th and 20th centuries. Outside of Germany, people with this surname can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and certain other European countries.
Order DNA origin analysisSchweiker: Where does the name Schweiker come from?
The last name Schweiker is most common in Germany today, although it has been found in other countries throughout Europe as well. Schweiker originated in Germany as a variation of the name Schweigler, which is derived from the Middle High German word “schweigern”, meaning “to remain silent”. Over the centuries, some of the earliest Schweikers have migrated to countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. In addition, it has appeared in the United States as some of the early immigrants from Germany and Central Europe brought the surname with them.
In modern times, the last name Schweiker continues to be prevalent in Germany, especially in the state of Bavaria. There is also a large concentration of people with the surname throughout Austria and the Czech Republic. In the United States, the family name is one of the more frequently observed German surnames and is most prevalent in the Midwest and certain areas of New England and the mid-Atlantic states. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, there were over 600 families living in the United States with the last name Schweiker.
The surname has also been found in other countries, such as Australia and Canada, though in much smaller numbers. Additional sites of concentrated populations of Schweikers have been found in a few South American countries, as members of the family have immigrated to these countries. Overall, the majority of people with the last name Schweiker, however, continue to live in its country of origin, Germany, along with other German-speaking countries of Central Europe.
Variations of the surname Schweiker
The surname Schweiker is derived from the German word “schweik” which means “power”. This name is found throughout Scandinavia, Germany, and Austria.
Some variant spellings of Schweiker are- Schwiker, Schweigar, Shweikar, Schwaigar, Schwiiker, Schweygar, Schwiekar, Schwiegar, Schuyker, Schuycar, Schuiker, Schwiker, Schwikar, Schuygar, Schucar, Schuger, and Schwuger.
Surnames derived from the same origin as Schweiker include- Schweikert, Schwikerd, Schuykert, Schikert, Schwyker, Schikard, Schwikerd, Schwikard, Schugard, and Schuygard.
The origin of these names can help determine how they have evolved over time and how they might be spelled differently in various regions. For example, in Germany the name is often spelled as “schweiger” or “schweigar”, while in Austria it is commonly spelled “schwaigar” or “schwiiker”. In parts of Scandinavia, the names “schuyker” or “schuycar” can be found.
No matter where the name is found, the Schweiker surname can be traced back to the common origin of “schweik” which means “power”. It is a name steeped in history, with variants of the spelling found all over Europe.
Famous people with the name Schweiker
- Richard Schweiker: Former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, and former Senator from Pennsylvania.
- Andrew Schweiker: American software engineer and entrepreneur.
- Peter Schweiker: American Born Actor and Producer.
- Mark Schweiker: Politician and former Governor of Pennsylvania.
- William Schweiker: Psychotherapist and professor in the University of Chicago.
- Mary Kay Schweiker: American artist and jewelry-maker.
- Heidi Schweiker: German goldsmith and jewelry designer.
- Ralph Schweiker: Former U.S. diplomat and international interest lawyer.
- Robert Schweiker: Retired American Attorney.
- Albert Schweiker: German theologian and physician.
- James Schweiker: Chief Executive Officer at ACCC Insurance Company.
- Lauren Schweiker: Interior Designer from Los Angeles, California.
- John Schweiker: Professor of Political Science and Law at Villanova University.
- Ryan Schweiker: Abolitionist, author and Politician.
- Chloe Schweiker: Singer-songwriter and producer.
- Carolyn Schweiker: Musician and Music Artist.
- Joseph Schweiker: Founding Partner of Weichselbaum & Schweiker architecture firm.
- Karl Schweiker: Industrial engineer and artist.
- Paul Schweiker: Senior Vice President of IT at Collins Aerospace and Avionics.
- Elizabeth Schweiker: Former Education Administrator and Founding Member of Robinson Street Books.