ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2218
http://www.s-gabriel.org/2218
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From:  (Josh Mittleman)
18 Dec 2000


Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel!

You asked whether <Schwartzenberg> is appropriate for an 11th-13th century
German surname.  This letter is a brief answer to your question.

There were several places in medieval Germany called <Schwarzberg> or
<Schwarzenberg>.  A <Walther Swartzenberger> is recorded in 1359.  Similar
surnames existed earlier: <Ruod. gen. v. Swarzenstein> 1275; <Godefridus
Suartzgrawe> 1228 [1].  We can therefore recommend <Swarzenberg>, <von
Swarzenberg>, and <Swarzenberger> as reasonable surnames for your period.
By the end of your period, spellings beginning <Swartz-> are also
possible. 

We hope this brief letter has been useful.  Please write us again if you
have any questions.  I was assisted in researching and writing this letter
by Talan Gwynek, Adelaide de Beaumont, and Dietmar von Straubing. 

For the Academy,


  Arval Benicoeur
  18 Dec 2000


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References

[1] Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, _Etymologisches Woerterbuch der
deutschen Familiennamen_ (Limburg a. d. Lahn, C. A. Starke-Verlag,
1957-1960), s.nn. Schwarz(en)berg(er), Schwarzenstein, Schwarzgraf.