Switzer
A name for someone from Switzerland, originally a term for a Swiss person or Swiss mercenary.
The #3,248 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 27,780 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Switzer is an English surname formed from the old word for a Swiss person. The English term goes back to German Schweizer, meaning “Swiss,” ultimately linked to Schwyz, the place name behind the German name for Switzerland. In older English, it could refer not only to a Swiss national but especially to a Swiss guard or mercenary soldier.
History
The word was in use in English by the early modern period, and surname use appears to have developed from that ethnic nickname. Historical surname writers note that the name was already established in England and could take on an English-looking spelling over time. Related spellings such as Sweitzer and Schweitzer also reflect the same source.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older English sources sometimes used switzer specifically for the famous Swiss mercenary guards serving foreign rulers.
From the historical record
“Bank] SWITZER (Swiss) a Swiss [Early Mod. E. Switzer = Ger. Schweizer: Schweis, the Ger. name of Switzerland, is f. the canton and town of- Schwyz, a name prob. of Romanic (Romansch) orig.] Where are my Switzers ? Let them guard the doore. —”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)