Surname Schweinle - Meaning and Origin
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Schweinle: What does the surname Schweinle mean?
The last name Schweinle is a German surname derived from the German word “Schwein”, which means “pig” or “swine”. It is thought to have been originally derived from the Middle High German word "Schwind”, which is related to the English word “swind” meaning “cheat” or “double deal”.
The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to 1250 in records of an Otto Schwindele from Hall in Bavaria. This suggests at least some of the name holders could have originated from that area.
Throughout the centuries, the name has been spelled in many slightly different ways including ‘Schvindele, Schwingel and Schwindly’, and gradually moving to the more current versions of ‘Swineley’ and ‘Schweinle’ still seen today.
The family hasn’t been researched beyond the 18th century, at which time people of the same name could be found in the German states of Hesse, Bavaria, Prussia and the Palatinate, which are today in parts of Germany, Czech Republic and Poland.
The name has remained unchanged in the United States since it was introduced in the early 1700s, with the latest spellings of Schweinle and Swineley being most commonly used.
Despite the origins of the last name being unclear, it is thought to have originated with some belittling or quelling reference to swine, usually being given to a person due to their character traits or habits.
Order DNA origin analysisSchweinle: Where does the name Schweinle come from?
The last name Schweinle is common today primarily in the United States and Germany. The surname appears most frequently in the Midwestern and Central regions of the United States with the majority of bearers residing in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Kansas. In Germany, it is most commonly found in its southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg.
Schweinle may have derived from two sources. It could be of German origin, stemming from the Middle High German word “schuenlein,” meaning “Modern German: little pig.” Alternately, it may be a Czech surname derived from the Czech word “svinli,” meaning “piglet.”
The family name Schweinle has been in the United States since the 1800s when the first immigrants began to arrive. As of the most recent census data, approximately 11,000 Americans share this name. While there is no evidence to support a common ancestor, it seems likely that many of the families with this surname are related.
Schweinle is a rare name today, but those who bear this surname can take pride in their German or Czech heritage. It is interesting to note that the current Schweinle families may have shared a common ancestor centuries ago, and remained connected through this shared name.
Variations of the surname Schweinle
Schweinle is a surname of German origin. It derives from the Middle High German word "schwein," meaning 'pig' or 'hog'. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Schweinle are:
Schwein: This is the most straightforward spelling for the broadly-used surname, which descended from the Middle High German root.
Swinley: This is the Anglicized version of Schweinle and is a popular variant across the United Kingdom and beyond.
Swinely: This is another alternative spelling of the widely-used surname, which dates back to the 18th century.
Schweinhagen: This is a rarer variant of Schweinle and is associated with a swine farm near Nuremberg, Bavaria.
Schweinsberg: This is a rare version of the surname, which dates back several centuries.
Swinehart: This was originally a location-based surname, as it referred to those living near a 'swine'-based settlement.
Schweinefleisch: This version is quite uncommon and refers to someone who produced or traded pork.
Schweim: This is another rare variant of the surname, which has been in use in Germany since the Middle Ages.
Schweinsberg: Again, this is a rare version of the surname, which dates back to the 12th century.
Finally, Schweinberger is the more unusual spelling of the surname, which refers to someone from the town of Schweinberg in Lower Bavaria.
Overall, Schweinle is a surname of German origin. Despite the variations on the spelling of the surname, they all have the same origination in Middle High German.
Famous people with the name Schweinle
- George Schweinle: Actor and Comedian known for films such as The Longest Yard and The Big Lebowski
- Joy Schweinle: Actress known for playing the role of Lt. Margaret Sipowski in Airwolf.
- Dan Schweinle: Professional Footballer for the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers.
- Al Schweinle: Professional Baseball Player for the Chicago Cubs
- Matt Schweinle: Professional Wrestler known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment.
- John Schweinle: Jazz Musician and Member of the Jazz Band, "The Swingers".
- Brad Schweinle: Professional Basketball Player for the Dallas Mavericks.
- Doug Schweinle: Professional Tennis Player, who competed on the Pro Circuit in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Steve Schweinle: Singer/Songwriter and Member of the Band, "Bach & The Beatles".
- Martina Schweinle: Olympic Medalist in Ski Jumping at the 1986 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada.