Surname Schweichert - Meaning and Origin

Schweichert: What does the surname Schweichert mean?

The last name Schweichert is a German surname, which originates from the word "schweichen" meaning "to be gentle, mild, or quiet". This likely derives from the Middle High German word "schweczern" meaning "to make peace". It is possible that the surname was first used to identify someone who had a notably peaceable demeanor or who was involved in treaty negotiations or the settling of disputes.

In the German language, the letter "w" is pronounced like an English "v" sound, so the pronunciation of the name is "SHVY-kert".

The surname Schweichert is not particularly common, but has been found in several European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It has also been used in the United States, where it was likely adopted by German immigrants.

Throughout its history, the surname Schweichert likely carried with it a connotation of peaceable behavior and the settling of disputes. It is likely that those with this surname would have been seen as a source of wisdom and good counsel in times of discord.

Schweichert: Where does the name Schweichert come from?

The surname Schweichert is most commonly found in the countries of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. In Germany, it is most commonly found in the eastern states of Brandenburg and Saxony as well as in the federal capital Berlin. In Austria, the surname is primarily found in Vienna, Vienna's neighboring states, and the rural areas of Lower Austria. In the Czech Republic, it is primarily found in Prague and in the surrounding towns and villages.

The given name Schweichert is derived from the German words "schweig" and "hart" meaning "silent" and "hard." As such, it likely originated as an occupational name for someone who worked in a field which required a high level of silence and resilience such as a farmer or a forest worker. Today, however the surname is most likely associated with the many generations of Austria-Hungary immigrants who moved to other countries during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Schweichert surname is not limited to the German-speaking countries and has spread to other corners of Europe and even to the United States. In the United States, the surname is predominantly found in the states of Illinois, New York, and Virginia. In Canada, the surname is mainly found in the provinces of Quebec and British Columbia.

Overall, the surname Schweichert is a relatively common surname in certain parts of Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada, and other countries. It is likely associated with immigrants who left their home country in search of a better life and who have since made their name for themselves in their new country and beyond.

Variations of the surname Schweichert

Schweichert is an occupational surname derived from an old German word meaning ‘carter’ or ‘horse-breaker’. It is generally spelled either Schweichert, Schweicherdt, or Schweicht. Other variants of this surname spellings include Swiechert, Swychert, Swycherdt, and Swycht.

The family name originated in the provinces of Westphalia, Rhineland- Palatinate and Saxony in central Germany and spread along with the many German emigrants who left the region during and after the 19th century. It is mostly found in those areas along with Switzerland.

The alternative spellings of the surname Schweichert include: Swiegart, Schweigart, Schweigerdt, Swiegart, Swiegerdt, Schwiegart, Schwiegeerdt, Schwiegerdt, Schweigart, Schweiger, Schwiger, and Schwieger. All these spellings can be found in historical records.

Many of the surname variants listed above can be found among the surnames of those who immigrated to America, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

In some cases, specific surnames are associated with particular regions. For example, Swiss/Switz/Switzer often appear in records related to Pennsylvania or the Palatinate region of Germany, while Swisher/Sweisher and Swiciher often appear in records related to Ohio or Indiana.

Surnames ending in ‘hardt’ such as Schweicherth, Swiecherth, and Schweigerth often appear in records related to New York or the Palatinate/Rhine area of Germany.

Famous people with the name Schweichert

• Mary Schweichert: Mary is a German-born model, actress, author, and entrepreneur. She has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Harper’s Bazaar magazines.
• William Schweichert: William is a former professional basketball player. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the fourth round of the 1975 NBA Draft.
• Jeff Schweichert: Jeff is a former professional baseball player who played in the minor and major leagues from 1996 to 2005.
• Ann Schweichert: Ann is a Swiss-born costume designer, best known for her work on films such as Murder on the Orient Express and Fiddler on the Roof.
• Adam Schweichert: Adam is a German-born composer and singer-songwriter. He is known for writing the scores to films such as Cloud Atlas, Bad Santa, and The Water Diviner.
• John Schweichert: John is an American filmmaker and television producer, best known for his work on shows such as Survivor and The Amazing Race.
• Alex Schweichert: Alex is an American-born hockey player. He was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NHL Drat to the Philadelphia Flyers.
• Carl Schweichert: Carl is a German-born football (soccer) player. He has represented Germany in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup’s, and made over 150 appearances for his club team, Bayer Leverkusen.
• Adele Schweichert: Adele is a German-born actor, best known for her work in films such as Inglourious Basterds and The Dark Knight Rises.
• Chris Schweichert: Chris is an American-born Olympic rower. He competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and won a bronze medal in the Men's Quadruple Sculls.

Other surnames

Schweicher