NameCensus.

UK surname

Schwartz

A German and Jewish surname meaning "black," referring to someone with dark hair, dark complexion, or a blacksmith.

In the 1881 census there were 154 people recorded with the Schwartz surname, ranking it #15,259 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 650, ranked #8,181, up from #15,259 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St George in the East and Christ Church Spitalfields. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney and Salford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Schwartz is 685 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 322.1%.

1881 census count

154

Ranked #15,259

Modern count

650

2016, ranked #8,181

Peak year

1911

685 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Schwartz had 154 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,259 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 650 in 2016, ranked #8,181.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 685 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Schwartz surname distribution map

The map shows where the Schwartz surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Schwartz surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Schwartz over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 30 #27,891
1861 historical 19 #31,470
1881 historical 154 #15,259
1891 historical 204 #14,702
1901 historical 528 #7,740
1911 historical 685 #6,182
1997 modern 476 #9,665
1998 modern 514 #9,383
1999 modern 528 #9,260
2000 modern 496 #9,689
2001 modern 468 #9,949
2002 modern 500 #9,625
2003 modern 500 #9,481
2004 modern 518 #9,274
2005 modern 507 #9,351
2006 modern 514 #9,291
2007 modern 520 #9,284
2008 modern 540 #9,091
2009 modern 574 #8,880
2010 modern 621 #8,553
2011 modern 622 #8,447
2012 modern 627 #8,308
2013 modern 659 #8,125
2014 modern 663 #8,125
2015 modern 649 #8,210
2016 modern 650 #8,181

Geography

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Where Schwartz' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St George in the East, Christ Church Spitalfields, London parishes and Clarborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney and Salford. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 St George in the East London (East Districts)
3 Christ Church Spitalfields London (East Districts)
4 London parishes London 1
5 Clarborough Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 001 Hackney
2 Hackney 004 Hackney
3 Hackney 006 Hackney
4 Hackney 003 Hackney
5 Salford 016 Salford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Schwartz

These lists show first names that appear often with the Schwartz surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Schwartz

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Schwartz, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Schwartz surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Schwartz household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Schwartz is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Schwartz is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Schwartz falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Schwartz is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Schwartz, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Schwartz

The surname Schwartz originated from the German language, specifically in the regions of Germany and Switzerland, dating back to the early medieval period. Derived from the German word "schwarz," meaning "black," the name was likely originally a nickname or a descriptive term given to individuals with dark hair, complexion, or attire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Schwartz can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of documents from the 9th to the 13th centuries, where it appears as "Swarzo" in the year 1195. Additionally, the surname is documented in the Biberacher Urkundenregesten, a compilation of records from the town of Biberach in southern Germany, in the year 1271.

The name Schwartz had various spellings throughout history, including Schwarz, Schwartzmann, Schwarzkopf, and Schwartzel, among others. Some notable bearers of this surname include the German philosopher and social theorist Karl Schwartz (1812-1885), the American industrialist and philanthropist Charles M. Schwab (1862-1939), and the legendary German composer and pianist Franz Schwartz (1810-1849).

In the 14th century, a prominent figure named Johannes Schwartz, also known as Johannes de Nigra Villa, was a renowned theologian and author who played a significant role in the intellectual and religious discourse of the time. Another historical figure was Berthold Schwartz, a German monk and alchemist credited with the invention of gunpowder in the 13th century, though this claim is disputed by some historians.

The surname Schwartz has also been associated with various place names and locations throughout Europe. For instance, the town of Schwarzach in Austria, the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) region in southwestern Germany, and the Schwarzenburg Castle in Switzerland all bear connections to the name and its meaning.

Across different eras and regions, the Schwartz surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, military leaders, and politicians. Some notable examples include the German painter Hans Schwartz (1492-1567), the Swiss theologian and reformer Rudolf Schwartz (1499-1584), and the Prussian military leader and statesman Otto von Schwartz (1836-1917).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Schwartz families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Schwartz surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 89 Schwartz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.81x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 89 5.81x
Surrey 16 2.14x
Lancashire 9 0.50x
Gloucestershire 8 2.66x
Nottinghamshire 8 3.88x
Warwickshire 8 2.07x
Cheshire 5 1.48x
Buckinghamshire 4 4.32x
Isle of Man 3 10.55x
Berkshire 2 1.74x
Kent 2 0.38x
Essex 1 0.33x
Shropshire 1 0.76x
Yorkshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town in Middlesex leads with 13 Schwartz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.79x.

Place Total Index
Mile End Old Town 13 53.79x
Spitalfields London 13 112.85x
Bromley London 10 29.68x
Islington London 10 6.74x
Mile End New Town 10 478.47x
St George In East 9 86.37x
Bristol St John Baptist 8 2857.14x
Clarborough 8 519.48x
Birmingham 7 5.44x
Newington 6 10.61x
St Marylebone London 6 7.34x
Buckingham 4 212.77x
Manchester 4 4.89x
Old Artillery Ground 4 303.03x
Penge 4 40.90x
Stockport 4 22.99x
Camberwell 3 3.07x
Hackney London 3 3.49x
Liverpool 3 2.72x
Onchan 3 36.63x
Westminster St John 3 16.09x
Clerkenwell London 2 5.53x
Deptford St Paul 2 4.96x
Lambeth 2 1.50x
St Martin In Fields 2 21.81x
Wantage 2 109.29x
Birkenhead 1 3.71x
Croydon 1 2.41x
Ellesmere 1 44.05x
Everton 1 1.73x
Friern Barnet 1 29.67x
Great Crosby 1 20.20x
Harwich St Nicholas 1 42.92x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 81.97x
Leamington 1 39.06x
St Clement Danes 1 40.32x
St Pancras London 1 0.81x
Whitechapel London 1 6.63x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Schwartz surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 6
Sarah 5
Rebecca 4
Emily 3
Esther 3
Leah 3
Annie 2
Edith 2
Golda 2
Hannah 2
Jane 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Bella 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Evelyn 1
Eziel 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Fredella 1
Fredrica 1
Georgina 1
Georgine 1
Helena 1
Helene 1
Hetty 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
Klary 1
Lenie 1
Lillian 1
Louise 1
Lousia 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Mina 1
Miriam 1
Rachael 1
Rowline 1
Sedonie 1
Selga 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Schwartz surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Abraham 4
William 4
Charles 3
George 3
Jacob 3
John 3
Alexander 2
Berthold 2
Daniel 2
Harry 2
Helmuth 2
Joseph 2
Leopold 2
Lewis 2
Louie 2
Max 2
Andrew 1
Bernard 1
Cecil 1
Christian 1
Constantine 1
David 1
Edward 1
Erich 1
Ferdinand 1
Francis 1
Franz 1
Frederick 1
Fredk.W. 1
Fredrick 1
Gustave 1
Herbert 1
Hyman 1
Isaac 1
Israel 1
James 1
Lamon 1
Lorenz 1
Louis 1
Ludwig 1
Marks 1
Oscar 1
Poly 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Simeon 1
Simon 1
Soloman 1
Stanley 1

FAQ

Schwartz surname: questions and answers

How common was the Schwartz surname in 1881?

In 1881, 154 people were recorded with the Schwartz surname. That placed it at #15,259 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Schwartz surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 650 in 2016. That gives Schwartz a modern rank of #8,181.

What does the Schwartz surname mean?

A German and Jewish surname meaning "black," referring to someone with dark hair, dark complexion, or a blacksmith.

What does the Schwartz map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Schwartz bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.