Surname Schweickard - Meaning and Origin
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Schweickard: What does the surname Schweickard mean?
The last name Schweickard is of Germanic origin and likely evolved from the Germanic first name “Svitkard.” The name Svitkard itself is composed of two elements, “svit” meaning “light” or “luminous” and “kard” or “hard” meaning “brave” or “hardy.” Thus, the name Schweickard can be roughly translated to mean “brave and luminous” or “bravely brilliant.”
The last name Schweickard is likely from the Middle Ages, and has been documented in Autlenberg County, Germany since the 14th century. In 1396, records of one Lienhart der Schweickardt appeared in the Staufen Archive. As the name evolved, each generation passed it along to new families, and the spelling changed over hundreds of years from its original Svitkard to Schweickard.
The surname Schweickard also appears in modern records. In the United States, one branch of the Schweickard family tree can be found in Alexandria, Virginia, while another can be traced to Pennsylvania. There are also records of the Schweickard surname in countries other than Germany, including France, England, and Canada.
Overall, the name Schweickard is a testament to the courage, strength, and resilience of its ancestors. It is a reminder that despite all of our differences, we can all strive for bravery and brilliance.
Order DNA origin analysisSchweickard: Where does the name Schweickard come from?
The last name Schweickard is most common today in Germany, the United States, and Switzerland. The surname is of German origin and is derived from a place name near Waldorf.
In German, 'Schweickard' means 'one who dwells near the willow trees'. The literal translation means 'swine herd'. This last name likely originated within a small farming community in Waldorf.
In the United States, the population of people with the Schweickard surname is particularly concentrated in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The earliest record of this name in the U.S. was Johannes and Peter Shwickhard, who appeared in the listings of the Pennsylvania German Church Record in 1767.
In Switzerland, the pandemic birth surnames list in the Ministry of Justice shows the highest percentage of Schweickard births occurring near Zurich in the 19th century.
In terms of current population, Germany has the highest numbers of people with the last name Schweickard. According to the Global Name Statistics Database, the numbers in Germany are estimated to be around 20,000 in 2020. The population in the U.S. is estimated to be about 5,600, and the population of people with the name in Switzerland is estimated to be around 3,100.
The surname Schweickard is relatively uncommon but found around the world. It is most commonly associated with its German origins, but its population is growing steadily in other countries, including the United States and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Schweickard
The surname Schweickard is a German name and many variants and spellings of the name exist. The motto of the family of this name is “Es ist Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit” which translates to “Unity and Justice and Freedom”.
Common variants of the name Schweickard include Schwickardt, Schwieckard, Schwiekart, Schwiekhardt and Schwiechard.
Variants of the name Schweickard include Schneider, Schwantner, Schwandinger, Schwenk, Schwarz, and Schwimmer.
Surnames of the same origin as Schweickard include Schoendoerffer, Schwager, Schwahn, Schwanbeck, Schwanz, Schwaab, and Schwering.
Alternate spellings of the name Schweickard may be “Schweickhard,” “Schweykhardt,” “Schweykard,” or “Schweykhard.”
The Schweikard family was founded in 1650 in Germany. The family later spread to different countries including the United States and Canada. Today, those with the surname Schweickard can be found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. They are also located in other countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Schweickard
- Friedrich Christian Schweickard: was a German Jesuit priest, astronomer, and mathematician, born in Erlangen in 1744.
- Wilhelm Schweickard: was a noted German architect of the mid-18th century. He is best known for his church designs and grave monuments.
- Karl Schweickard: was a German Romantic painter of the 18th century. He is most known for his landscapes and pastoral scenes.
- Johann Jakob Schweickard: was a German playwright, novelist, and dramatist of the 18th century. He is best known for his play Weltfrieden, which went on to become immensely popular for its satire and wit.
- Ernst Schweickard: was a German botanist, chemist, and zoologist of the 19th century. He is best known for his research on lichens, fungi, and algae.
- Philipp Schweickard: was a German lawyer and statesman of the 18th century. He is best known for being appointed Chief President of the Court of Appeal of the Duchy of Württemberg in 1793.
- Hermann Schweickard: was a German judicial scholar of the early 20th century. He is most well-known for his study on the codification of Roman and German private law.
- Andreas Schweickard: was an 18th century German royal master builder and architect. He is most noted for designing and building Jagdschloss, a palace in Böllstein, Germany.