Zwiefel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The German state of Bavaria is the ancestral home of the Zwiefel family. Zwiefel is a local name. Zwiefel is a name for someone who lived in Bavaria. The Zwiefel family resided on a vast feudal estate in an elegant manor. They also became involved in the political and economic affairs of Bavaria and acquired a distinguished reputation for their contributions to German society.

Early Origins of the Zwiefel family

The surname Zwiefel was first found in Bavaria, where the name Zweifel made a great early contribution to the feudal society of early Europe. The name Zweifel 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.

Early History of the Zwiefel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zwiefel research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Zwiefel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Zwiefel Spelling Variations

Many 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 Zwiefel include Zweifel, Zweiffel, Zweifeln, Zwiefel, Zwibel, Swibel, Zwiebler and many more.

Early Notables of the Zwiefel family

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

Zwiefel migration to the United States +

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Zwiefels to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Zwiefel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Killan Zwiefel, who settled in Arkansas in 1906
Killian Zwiefel, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 1

Citations +

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)