Surname Morgenschweis - Meaning and Origin
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Morgenschweis: What does the surname Morgenschweis mean?
The last name Morgenschweis is a German surname which translates to "morning dew" or "morning mist". This indicates that, historically, this surname was likely connected to the natural world, such as farming or other outdoor occupations. It is also indicative of a crafty, independent spirit.
The name is quite rare and mostly found in areas of central Germany or Austria, particularly in the Rhineland region. It is believed to be derived from the words "morgen" meaning "morning" and "schweis" meaning "dew" in Old High German language.
The Morgenschweis surname first appears to have been used in the 13th century, primarily to distinguish tradespeople from farmers. During this time, owing to the mobile lifestyle of the nomadic tradesmen, the name began to spread throughout different areas of Europe, eventually leading to its existence in many countries today.
The term itself has retained its original connotations, with those who possess it still historically connected to outdoor pursuits. The surname is also said to encompass the positive traits associated with its meaning of dew, such as gentleness and simplicity.
In general, this surname conjures up feelings of rustic charm and natural beauty, and its origin in the natural environment still resonates to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisMorgenschweis: Where does the name Morgenschweis come from?
The last name Morgenschweis is most commonly found in Germany, around the state of Bavaria. It is thought to have originated in the region, as the name combines elements of German words related to mornings and swine herds. Morgenschweis is among the thousands of surnames which were created in the high middle ages by adding prefixes and suffixes to locations and occupations to distinguish between different people.
Today, you can find people with the last name Morgenschweis primarily in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, although it is possible that some emigrated to the United States, England, and other countries during the 19th century. In addition, people with the surname Morgenschweis may be found in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, although it is not as common in these countries.
The origin of the surname, in addition to indicating some connection with mornings and swine herding, suggests that it is related to a somewhat rural region. While there are people with the last name Morgenschweis living in larger cities, it is more prominent in smaller settlements and villages.
A search of records today reveals dozens of Morgenschweis households spread out across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, making it a moderately common surname in the present day.
Variations of the surname Morgenschweis
Morgenschweis is a German surname that originates from the old German word Morgenschwesen, which translates to “morning surprise”. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are Morgenschweis, Morgenschweiss, Morgenschweisser, Mogenschweisser, Morgensweis, Morgensweiss, Morgensweisser, Morgen Schwesen, Morgen Schwese and Morcschweise.
Morgenschweis is believed to be a locational surname, possibly originating from the city of the same name located near the Rhine River in Germany. The name of the city changed a few times over the centuries, leading to different variants of the surname. For example, the city was known as Morgen Schwese in the Middle Ages, and Morgenschweis in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Morgenschweis is an uncommon surname in the United States. However, since the name is German in origin, it is still encountered in other countries, particularly in Europe. Even today, people with the same surname are found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The Morgenschweis family can trace its roots back to the early 15th century. The earliest known progenitor to have the surname Morgenschweis was Heinrich, who lived in the Rhineland region of Germany in 1424. His descendants spread out and settled in various parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Today, the Morgenschweis surname is encountered in all of these countries and there are still many people bearing it.
Famous people with the name Morgenschweis
- Cyrus Morgenschweis, was a 19th century German chess master
- Johann Gottfried Moritz Morgenschweis, 19th century German political theorist and politician
- Karl Morgenschweis, German World War I fighter pilot
- Wolfgang Morgenschweis, 20th century German handball Olympian
- Joseph Morgenschweis, 19th century German inventor and scientist
- Johann Rudolf Morgenschweis, 18th century German-Swiss botanist
- Katharina Elisabeth Sophia Morgenschweis, 19th century German philanthropist
- August Morgenschweis, 18th century German anagram creator
- Eva Maria Morgenschweis, 20th century German Catholic
- Rudolf Julius Emanuel Morgenschweis, 19th century German physiologist