Schwartz
A German surname meaning “black,” originally a nickname for someone with dark hair, complexion, or clothing.
The #345 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 3,428 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Schwartz is a German surname from the adjective schwarz, meaning “black.” The word goes back to Middle High German swarz and Old High German swarz, with the surname used as a descriptive nickname for a person with dark hair, a dark complexion, or black clothing. It is the German cognate of English Swart.
History
The surname is common in German-speaking areas and was carried abroad in large numbers by Jewish and non-Jewish emigrants. The spelling Schwartz is a well-known Anglicized or variant form alongside Schwarz. Related surnames such as Swartz, Schwarze, and Schwartze reflect the same root.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The name’s core meaning is so old that it’s cognate with English words like “swart” and “swarthy.”
From the historical record
“M.H.Get O.H.Ger. swan] SCHWARTZ \ (Ger.) Black [Ger. schwarz SCHWARZ J (z as te), M.H.Ger. O.H.Ger. swarz] Eng. Swart. SCHWEITZER j (Ger.) Switzer, Swiss SCHWEIZER y [Ger. Schweizer (z as te) : see Switzer in Diet.]”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)