SCHWARZ Origin of surname
SCHWARZ
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from a physical characteristic or nickname.
Schwar(t)z means "black" in German and Yiddish. As a personal nickname, it often referred to the black hair or beard, or dark complexion, of its bearer. It is assumed that Schwar(t)z was a pejorative surname which was not chosen by Jewish families, but forced on them by Central European authorities in the late 18th/early 19th centuries. The term is found in a variety of spellings and translations: Schwartz is documented as a Jewish family name in 1387 in Strasbourg, eastern France; Swartz in 1509 in Budapest; and Schwarzschild, literally "black shield/sign" in German, in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, in 1560. Fekethe, the Hungarian for "black", is documented as a Jewish family name in 1381 in Budapest, Hungary. In France, Schwarzschild became Sarcil in 1925; Schwartzstein became Chastain in 1927; Szwarcbort was transformed into Charbord in 1951; Szwarcman was replaced by Sarmant in 1955; and Chwarzchtein translated as Rochenoir in 1956.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Schwarz include the German-born geologist, geographer, zoologist and botanist of Eretz Israel, Joseph Schwarz (1804-1865); the Austrian airship inventor David Schwarz (1845-1897); and the Austrian singer Vera Schwarz (1889-1964).
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from a physical characteristic or nickname.
Schwar(t)z means "black" in German and Yiddish. As a personal nickname, it often referred to the black hair or beard, or dark complexion, of its bearer. It is assumed that Schwar(t)z was a pejorative surname which was not chosen by Jewish families, but forced on them by Central European authorities in the late 18th/early 19th centuries. The term is found in a variety of spellings and translations: Schwartz is documented as a Jewish family name in 1387 in Strasbourg, eastern France; Swartz in 1509 in Budapest; and Schwarzschild, literally "black shield/sign" in German, in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, in 1560. Fekethe, the Hungarian for "black", is documented as a Jewish family name in 1381 in Budapest, Hungary. In France, Schwarzschild became Sarcil in 1925; Schwartzstein became Chastain in 1927; Szwarcbort was transformed into Charbord in 1951; Szwarcman was replaced by Sarmant in 1955; and Chwarzchtein translated as Rochenoir in 1956.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Schwarz include the German-born geologist, geographer, zoologist and botanist of Eretz Israel, Joseph Schwarz (1804-1865); the Austrian airship inventor David Schwarz (1845-1897); and the Austrian singer Vera Schwarz (1889-1964).