Schwahn Surname Meaning & Coat of Arms

Schwahn is best understood alongside Schwan: both are German spellings of one family name. The family name meaning is “A dweller at the sign of the swan”, the same as for Schwan.

How the spelling arose

The extra “h” in Schwahn is a spelling habit rather than a different name. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. The same family of names includes Schwaan and Schwann.

The Census Bureau's 2010 surname file lists Schwahn with 361 bearers, at rank 56,588.

Schwahn coat of arms

Looking for a Schwahn coat of arms? Arms were granted to families, not to surnames, and our research shows which heraldic tradition fits yours.

Want more than a summary? See the Schwahn family name pack.