Surname Schwab - Meaning and Origin
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A Voyage of Self-Discovery: An Emotional Journey through iGENEA DNA Test
A journey through iGENEA's DNA testing evoked profound emotions, from curiosity to surprise. The unexpected ancestral connections discovered redefined the inherited surname 'Schwab' and fostered a greater appreciation for shared family history.
I. Schwab
read moreSchwab: What does the surname Schwab mean?
The last name Schwab is of German origin and refers to someone from Swabia, a historic region in southwestern Germany that stretched from the Rhine and the Black Forest to the Lech River. The name possibly derives from the old Germanic word ‘sweben’, which means 'to burn slowly', 'to smolder', or 'to wander'. It was used during Medieval times for those who migrated from Swabia, identifying the geographical location where those people originally resided. However, it's worth noting that most people with this surname today may not necessarily have ancestry traceable back to that region. As a surname, it is widespread in Germany, Austria, and parts of the United States and other countries with significant populations of German descent.
Order DNA origin analysisSchwab: Where does the name Schwab come from?
The last name Schwab is a German name, derived from the word “Schwabe” which means “Swabian”. It is still a common name in Germany today where it is one of the top 100 most common surnames. The Schwab surname can also be found in parts of central and eastern Europe. It is also quite common in the United States, making up as much as 11% of the population in some states. According to data from the U.S. Census, the last name Schwab is the 571st most common last name in the country and is most prevalent in Pennsylvania, where it ranksodium 37th. It is also quite common in Wisconsin and Ohio. Outside of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand also have relatively high numbers of Schwab's, although it is not as common as in the U.S. It is estimated that there are over 600,000 people globally with the Schwab surname today.
Variations of the surname Schwab
The surname Schwab is a German surname with a range of variants, spellings, and related surnames. Common variants and spellings of Schwab include Schwaab, Schweb, Schwebach, Schwabach, Schwabacher, Schwabe, Schwebig, Schwebinger, Schwabing, and Schwob. These variants and spelling changes often took place when families migrated to other countries or when immigrant families Anglicized their surnames upon arriving in the United States.
Related surnames include Swab, Swope, Sauve, Swahn, and Shaver. These related surnames may have originated from Schwab or from similar-sounding words in other languages. The surname Schwab may have originated from the Old High German word 'swab', meaning 'one who plows'. Alternatively, it may have come from a personal name, Schwabber, which was derived from the verb ‘schwabern’, meaning ‘to dither’ or ‘quiver’.
The spelling 'schw' with the double 'w' is a common way to spell Schwab in Germany. The variant spelling 'Schwaab' is the most common spelling in the United States, where it has been adopted by immigrants arriving from Germany. Variations of Schwab, such as Schwabbing, Schwebig, and Schwebinger, are more common in southern Germany, while the variants Schwob and Schwobach are more common in the Rhineland region.
No matter how it is spelled, the surname Schwab is a reminder of the German immigrants who moved to other countries and made an impact on their new homes.
Famous people with the name Schwab
- Charles R. Schwab, American investor, businessman, and philanthropist.
- Karl Schwab, 19th century German Doctor, known for his identity in medical field.
- Adam Schwab, Australian businessman and the founder of Cudo.
- Wendell Schwab, American actor and director.
- Kathryn Schwab, American artist.
- Andre Schwab, German politician.
- Fritz Schwab, German writer and cultural critic.
- Eike Schwab, German entrepreneur and CEO of VfL Wolfsburg.
- David Schwab, American Banker and philanthropist.
- Carl Schwab, American classical baritone singer.
- Paul Schwab, German composer and musician.
- Alexis Schwab, American businessman and sports executive.
- Sylvia Schwab, German actress.
- Bettina Schwab, German artist.
- Lauren Schwab, American model and fashion designer.
- Sunny Schwab, American rock musician.
- Barbara Schwab, German psychologist and author.
- Rajendra Schwab, Indian film director.
- Anna Schwab, Polish film director.
- Annabeth Schwab, American fashion designer and artist.