Show ContentsBuchwalter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Schleswig-Holstein, which is the northernmost state in western Germany, is the homeland of the proud surname Buchwalter. The name Buchwalter, which is a local surname, reveals that the original bearer of the name once lived, held land, or was born in this beautiful region of Schleswig. In the Holy Roman Empire, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules and after the 12th century, names that were derived from localities became increasingly widespread. Local names originally denoted the proprietorship of the village or estate. When coupled with the German preposition von, which means from or of, local names can indicate that the bearer of the name was an aristocrat. However, in modern times, the von is frequently dropped from the surname.

Early Origins of the Buchwalter family

The surname Buchwalter was first found in Schleswig-Holstein, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever-changing territorial profile. The Buchwald family of this northern region were found in Mecklenburg, West Prussia, Silesia, and their landed property varied greatly in size; they lost and gained territory in numerous feuds with the city of Luebeck and the ruling Counts of Holstein.

Early History of the Buchwalter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buchwalter research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1309 and 1675 are included under the topic Early Buchwalter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buchwalter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Buchwald, Buchwalde, Buckwald, Buchwalder, Buchwalter and many more.

Early Notables of the Buchwalter family

More information is included under the topic Early Buchwalter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Buchwalter migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Buchwalter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Turst Buchwalter, who settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1719
  • Johannes Buchwalter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729-30
  • Jacob Buchwalter, who arrived in Philadelphia County in 1734

Contemporary Notables of the name Buchwalter (post 1700) +

  • Morris L. Buchwalter, American Republican politician, Common pleas court judge in Ohio 1st District, 1897 1


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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