Surname Schwarzkopf - Meaning and Origin

Schwarzkopf: What does the surname Schwarzkopf mean?

The last name Schwarzkopf is a German word meaning 'black head'. It is a topographical name referring to one who lived on land with a dark colored soil being the dominant feature, or it could also refer to one with dark hair.

The Schwarzkopf surname originates from regions of eastern Europe such as Germany, Austria, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, where it was most commonly found. It can also be found in some other European countries including Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

As one of the oldest known German surnames, many people with Schwarzkopf or closely related names may be descended from one original progenitor who lived in the thirteenth or fourteenth century. By the late 1700s and early 19th century, this family name was found in records all over Germany. The surname spread in both directions along with the immigration of European families throughout the world.

The Schwarzkopf family today is represented by many people from different parts of the world. It is particularly associated with military officers, including the famous German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, whose surname was actually Schwarzkopf. The modern Schwarzkopf family continues to thrive in many countries around the world.

Schwarzkopf: Where does the name Schwarzkopf come from?

The last name Schwarzkopf is most commonly found in Germany. This last name is especially common in the region of Bavaria, which often has the highest percentage of people with the last name in Germany. It is also quite common in Vienna, Austria, where the Schwarzkopf family originated. The last name has since spread to other parts of Europe and the world.

In the United States, Schwarzkopf is predominantly found in the states of California, Pennsylvania, and New York. In California and Pennsylvania, for instance, Schwarzkopf is the 347th most common last name. It is quite common within the city limits of Philadelphia and its suburbs.

Outside of the United States, Schwarzkopf is also quite common in countries such as Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia. It is estimated that there are around 20,000 people in the world today that share the Schwarzkopf last name, making it one of the more common German-origin last names.

The Schwarzkopf family, which was an aristocratic military family, originally had its roots in Prussia. Seven family members were awarded the Order of the Black Eagle, and they also served in several important military roles throughout the German Empire. The most famous member of the family was General Norman Schwarzkopf, an American general who served in the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. He is also remembered for his numerous humanitarian efforts in the face of civil war and natural disasters.

Variations of the surname Schwarzkopf

Schwarzkopf is a common German surname that can be seen throughout many countries from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and other central European countries. Variants of Schwarzkopf have developed over time, including spellings such as Schwarckopf, Schwarckopff, Schwarzkopff, Schwarckopf, Schwerzkopf and Schwarkopff.

The surnames Kropp, Krutt, Kruter, and Kropf, which are derivatives from the German word kopf (head) are surnames of similar origin. Blackwood is a unique surname of Wetteraugerman origin and was derived from a place name located in the eastern part of Germany. The name translates to ‘a wood near the black water’. It has become one of the many Germanic spellings for Schwarzkopf.

Several families of similar origin exist outside of the central European countries. Some of these include the von Schwarzkopf lineage in Germany, the Schwarz family in Switzerland, and the Schwarzkopf family of South Africa. There are also several distinct branches of the original Schwarzkopf surname in northern and western Europe such as the Dutch melanin line, the Swedish aakre line, and the French no beeswax line.

Overall, given the varied origins and spellings, Schwarzkopf stands as an ever-evolving surname. Its various forms and derivatives can be seen in central and western Europe, North America, and South Africa.

Famous people with the name Schwarzkopf

• General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., US Army general and one of the primary architects of the American victory in the Persian Gulf War of 1991.
• Brigitte Schwarzkopf, Germany's most successful women's ice hockey player.
• Hans Schwarzkopf, Austrian industrialist and inventor.
• Serena Schwarzkopf, author and scholar focusing on Ancient Greek and Roman literature.
• Ralph Schwarzkopf, an American businessman who served as the chairman of IBM from 1978 to 1985.
• Robert Schwarzkopf, Austrian artist best known for his stained glass windows.
• Emma Schwarzkopf, Austrian-born German novelist and artist.
• Carl Schwarzkopf, German architect and urban planner.
• Hugo Schwarzkopf, German philosopher and author of numerous books on philosophical topics.
• Dieter Schwarzkopf, West German footballer and manager.
• Heinrich Schwarzkopf, German naturalist and entomologist.
• Berthold Schwarzkopf, German politician who served in the Bundestag from 1957 to 1961.
• Carl-Frederick Schwarzkopf, French-German philosopher and author of books about modern society.
• Gilda Schwarzkopf, Austrian actor and screenwriter.
• Mirjam Schwarzkopf, German actress and singer.
• Walter Schwarzkopf, American entrepreneur and philanthropist.
• Fritz Schwarzkopf, Prussian-born German painter.
• Rudolf Schwarzkopf, German general who led the 1st Panzer Army in World War II.
• Emil Schwarzkopf, German photographer who was a pioneer of color photography.
• Adele Schwarzkopf, German soprano who performed throughout Europe in the early 20th century.

Other surnames

SchwarzkopSchwarzkopffSchwarzkopp