Show ContentsSchweyer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Schweyer is generally thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "swaere" meaning "grieved" or "sad," suggesting one who was grieved or saddened. Schweyer may have originated as a nickname, derived from a physical characteristic or personal attribute of the initial bearer. In some cases, the Schweyer name may have also been derived from the German word "schwer" meaning "father-in-law" or "schwager" meaning "brother-in-law."

Early Origins of the Schweyer family

The surname Schweyer was first found in Germany, where Chunrat der Swaere was recorded in Bavaria in 1225 and Hentze Sweher in Rohrbach in Hesse in 1366. There is reference to one Christoph Schweher in 1565 from Budweis, and G. Magnus Schweyher in 1719 from Nuremberg.

Early History of the Schweyer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schweyer research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1772 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Schweyer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schweyer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Schwäher, Schwähr, Schweher, Schweyer, Schweyher, Schwerer, Schwaeher, Schwier, Swieger, Schwägerl, Schwager, Swager, Schwertfeger and many more.

Early Notables of the Schweyer family

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


United States Schweyer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schweyer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Susanna Schweyer, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1737
  • Georg Schweyer, who settled in Philadelphia in 1749
  • Nicklaus Schweyer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 1
  • Johannes Schweyer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1768 1
  • Johannes Schweyer, who also settled in Pennsylvania in 1768
Schweyer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Schweyer, who brought his family of six to America in 1828 from Alsace
  • Jacques Schweyer and Frederic Schweyer, who both emigrated from Alsace to America in 1862

Canada Schweyer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schweyer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Schweyer, who was recorded in the 1871 census in Ontario

Contemporary Notables of the name Schweyer (post 1700) +

  • Alfred Schweyer (b. 1888), German diplomat and trader
  • Carl Schweyer (b. 1901), mayor of Cologne in 1950
  • Franz Xaver Schweyer (1868-1935), once the Bavarian secretary of state


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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