Swiger
A surname of uncertain origin, probably a Germanic or Anglicized family name that became established in English-speaking North America.
The #8,727 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 82,157 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Swiger does not have a securely established derivation in the excerpts provided. Older surname collections list it alongside forms such as Swigert and Swigg, which suggests it may be a variant or Anglicized spelling of a Germanic family name rather than a purely English nickname. The exact root is uncertain, and 19th-century writers sometimes grouped it with so-called “expressive” names without giving a firm linguistic explanation.
History
The name appears in 19th-century American surname lists, showing that it was already established in the United States by that time. Its modern distribution is chiefly American, and it is uncommon, with several spelling variants recorded in historical name lists. Because the early evidence is limited, its pathway into English remains unclear.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
A 19th-century writer grouped Swiger with other “expressive” surnames, but did not explain the name’s actual origin.
From the historical record
“Weiners, Wein, Wines, Weinman, Wineman, Wine- hart, Weinstock, Winestock, Weingartner, Wine- gardner; also the expressive names of Swiger and Whiskeyman. Mr. Bouza ("bousy""?) was before the court at Lowell, October, 1859. Mr. Drink was engineer of the steam-propeller " Petrel," bloAvn up in New York, November…”
— Suffolk Surnames (3rd ed.)