| ![Show Contents]() Schweitz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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 Germany The surname Schweitz is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties. As a general rule, the greater the distance between an individual and their homeland, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, a person who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came. The surname Schweitz indicates that the original bearer immigrated to Austria from Switzerland. Early Origins of the Schweitz familyThe surname Schweitz was first found in Austria, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would shape the course of European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, particularly in the city of Frankfurt, and become noted for their involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Early History of the Schweitz familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schweitz research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1625, 1709, 1710, 1730, 1833 and 1875 are included under the topic Early Schweitz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Schweitz Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Schweitz include Schweitzer, Schweizer, Schwitzer, Schwyzer, Switzer, Sweitzer, Schwitter and many more. Early Notables of the Schweitz familyDuring this period prominent bearers of the name Schweitz were - Johann Friedrich Schweitzer (1625-1709), Dutch physician and alchemical writer of German extraction
- Johann Jacob Casimir von Schweitzer, who was ennobled in 1710, and his descendant Lorenz Wilhelm von Schweitzer was lord of Mosen and Riensdorf. Jean Baptista von Schweizer (1833-1875) was a politicia...
Migration of the Schweitz familyAfter the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Schweitz were Christoph Schweitzer, who emigrated to either England or America in 1709; Hans Georg Schweitzer arrived in New York State between 1710-1714; Jacob Schweitzer arrived in Philadelphia in 1732.
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