Show ContentsStruwe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Struwe family began in the historic kingdom of Schleswig, which is the northernmost state in western Germany. By and large, hereditary surnames were formed in Germany when areas of Schleswig, and most of the German states, were a part of the Holy Roman Empire. At this time, as the population of Europe swelled and travel became easier, people began to encounter others sharing their own name. They avoided confusion by adopting a second name. A common form of surname found in Schleswig are those that are derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Struwe was a name for a man who was unkempt and had hair that was shaggy and bristly. Ancient records reveal the name Struwe is derived from the Old German "strub," which means "rough" or "unkept."

Early Origins of the Struwe family

The surname Struwe was first found in Hamburg, where the family rose to prominence early in the mediaeval era. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include the knight Gerung Strubel, who was born in Waldshut in 1240. He was also recorded as Gerung von Ofteringen in 1280, and his sons were the knights Hartman, Ulrich, and Friedrich Strubel. Chronicles also mention "Lord Manegold von Estorpe der Struve, the horseman," and Radolf Struve of Stralsund (c.1297).

Early History of the Struwe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Struwe research. Another 245 words (18 lines of text) covering the year 1793 is included under the topic Early Struwe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Struwe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Strubel, Strube, Strub, Struble, Strubele, Strubeler, Strubler, Strubl, Struebel, Struebe, Strueble, Struebele, Struebeler, Struebler, Struebl, Struvel, Struv, Struve, Struven, Strubing, Struebing (Rostock), Strubinger, Strueving, Struwel, Struwe, Strubig, Struebig, Struebich, Strubich, Strufe, Strubb, Strubbe, Strubbel, Strubble and many more.

Early Notables of the Struwe family

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


United States Struwe migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Struwe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Christ Wilhelmine Struwe, who landed in America in 1846 1
  • Johann Friedrich Struwe, who landed in Galveston, Tex in 1850 1
  • Maria Struwe, who arrived in Galveston, Tex in 1850 1
  • Johann Friedrich Struwe, who settled in Galveston, Texas in 1850
  • Frederick Struwe, who arrived in America in 1851 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Struwe (post 1700) +

  • Alfred Struwe (1927-1998), German actor, from Marienburg, West Prussia
  • Hanna Zetterberg Struwe (b. 1973), Swedish Left Party politician


  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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