Surname Schwagers - Meaning and Origin
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Schwagers: What does the surname Schwagers mean?
The last name Schwagers (sometimes also spelled Schwager, Schwaggers, Schwagers, or similar variations) is a German surname which originated from the occupation of the original bearer of the name. The word Schwager means “journeyman”—someone who works for a trade or craft, but who is not yet officially recognized as a full master of the trade. This could mean journeyman workers or craftsmen of many types, including blacksmiths, stone-cutters, and woodworkers.
In times gone by, such craftsmen would travel from town to town, seeking work and often taking the last name Schwagers for identification. As the name spread throughout Germany, it became an occupational surname, identifying people from many different regions—no matter where they came from, a Schwagers represented a high level of skill in a specific job or trade.
The name has been found in German records as far back as the 1600s and 1700s, and it likely existed even earlier. Today, it is still a common last name in Germany and in other countries where German immigrants have settled, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its popularity, though, it is more difficult to find variants of the name in English-speaking countries.
Generally, the name Schwagers is associated with hard work and dedication to one's craft—qualities which many of its modern-day bearers continue to demonstrate as they work and pursue their dreams.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwagers: Where does the name Schwagers come from?
The Schwagers surname is most commonly found in the German speaking countries of Central Europe, and also in numerous of countries around the world. In Germany, it is particularly prominent in the areas of Bavaria, Thuringia and Lower Saxony. Schwagers is also common in Austria, where it is one of the top 100 surnames in the country. In Switzerland it is found primarily in the German cantons, particularly in Zurich, Bern, and Aargau.
In the Americas, Schwagers has had a strong presence since the 1800s. The largest concentration of the name can be found in the United States, with more than 200,000 individuals recorded in the 2020 US Census. Notable individuals with the surname can be found in the states of Florida, California, and New York, along with numerous other states in between. Schwagers is also fairly common in Canada, with a higher concentration around the provinces of Alberta and Ontario.
Outside of North America, other significant populations of Schwagers are found in countries like South Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In South Africa, the surname has been present since the 1800s and is now used by thousands of people in all 9 provinces. The UK population of the surname is relatively small, but there are many individuals living in Scotland, Wales, and England with this last name. Finally, in Australia the surname has been present since the mid-1800s, and it is most common around the states of Victoria and Queensland.
Variations of the surname Schwagers
The variant, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Schwagers would include: Schwagner, Schwagerin, Schwagen, Schwaiger, Schwareger, Schwengers, Schwagaris, Schweg-, Schwegals, Schweargers, Schwarers, Schwaersons, Shackwagers, Shwagers, Shwagerin, Shwagersons, Shweakers, Swagers, Swagerin, Swaggers, Swagersons, and Swaregers.
Schwagers is a German surname derived from the Old High German word “swagos” meaning "one who sews". The earliest record of the surname dates back to the 13th century in Bavaria when the first recorded spelling was of a knight named Hezilo, whose surname was Schwagers. During early modern times, the surname spread throughout many parts of Germany, and even today, there are many people who carry the surname Schwagers.
In addition to the German spelling, the surname also became popular in France and other parts of Europe. Many of the spellings listed above come from the French, Dutch and other European language derivations of the surname.
Although most commonly found in Germany, people with this surname can also be found in North America, particularly in certain parts of Canada and the United States, as immigrants from Germany settled in those areas.
The various spellings and surnames all stem from a common ancestor, and carry with them the same combination of proud heritage and what it means to be part of a family with a shared history.
Famous people with the name Schwagers
- Joshua Schwagers, co-founder and CEO of Skyhook Adventure
- Frank Schwagers, author of the autobiography Schwagers: The Life and Times of a 3. German-American Footballer
- Berta Schwagers, a German actress and model
- Robert Schwagers, American media executive and former co-chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America
- Hans Schwagers, German-Swiss art curator and director
- Ronald Schwagers, former professional basketball player
- Jack Schwagers, American chess grandmaster
- Pierre Schwagers, Swiss-born actor and director
- Chris Schwagers, retired professional baseball player
- Judi Schwagers, American historian and social activist