Schwimmer
A surname derived from the German word meaning "swimmer".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,131 Americans carry the last name Schwimmer. That puts it at #25,518 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.33 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 303,054 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Schwimmer surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
1.1K
1 in 303,054
Census rank
#25,518
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
968
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 968 bearers of the surname Schwimmer in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.33 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 25518th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Schwimmer, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Schwimmer
The surname Schwimmer has its origins in Germany, with records dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "schwimmen," which means "to swim." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as an occupation-based surname to someone who worked as a swimmer or had a profession related to water.
One of the earliest known references to the name Schwimmer can be found in a document from the 14th century in the city of Nuremberg, which mentions a merchant named Hans Schwimmer. This indicates that the name was already in use during that time period in that region of Germany.
In the 16th century, there are records of a family named Schwimmer residing in the town of Ulm, located in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg. This family was involved in the textile trade and had a significant impact on the local economy.
During the 17th century, a prominent figure with the surname Schwimmer was Johann Schwimmer, a Lutheran theologian and professor at the University of Tübingen. Born in 1629 and died in 1696, he made significant contributions to the field of theology and authored several influential works.
Another notable individual with the surname Schwimmer was Friedrich Schwimmer, a German-born American businessman and philanthropist. Born in 1824 in Bavaria, he immigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century and became a successful entrepreneur in the textile industry. He was known for his charitable endeavors and support of educational institutions.
In the 19th century, the name Schwimmer was also found in various regions of Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Bern and Zürich. One example is the Swiss politician and lawyer Rudolf Schwimmer, who was born in 1850 and served as a member of the National Council, the lower house of the Swiss Federal Assembly.
As the surname Schwimmer spread throughout different parts of Europe, it underwent slight variations in spelling, such as Schwimer, Schwimer, or Schwimers, reflecting local dialects and regional variations in language.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Schwimmer
Among Census respondents with the surname Schwimmer, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Schwimmer bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Schwimmer surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races1.0%
- Black or African American0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Schwimmer surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #25,518 | #25,518 | 0.0% |
| Count | 968 | 968 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Schwimmer bearers went from 968 to 968 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #25,518 to #25,518.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Schwimmer
FAQ
Schwimmer surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Schwimmer?
The surname Schwimmer holds position #25,518 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,131 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.33 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Schwimmer surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Schwimmer, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (1.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.