Name Directory by First Name: Wilma Schwaab - Wilma Toews

The surname Smith has deep historical roots, tracing back to Old English origins, where it is derived from the word "smitan," meaning "to smite" or "to hit." This etymology suggests a connection to the occupation of a blacksmith, a vital trade in medieval society, responsible for crafting tools, weapons, and horseshoes. The surname first appeared in written records in England during the 12th century, and its prevalence grew as the blacksmith's role became essential in both rural and urban communities.

The surname Taylor has its roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French word "tailleur," meaning "to cut," which referred to a tailor or someone who made garments. The name first appeared in the 12th century, particularly in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many French words entered the English language.

The surname Thomas has deep historical roots, tracing back to the Aramaic name "Te'oma," meaning "twin." It gained prominence in the Christian world due to Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, which led to its widespread adoption in various forms across Europe. The name first appeared in written records in the 12th century, particularly in England and France, where it was often used as a given name before evolving into a surname.

The surname Thompson has its historical roots in England, deriving from the medieval given name "Tom," a diminutive of Thomas, which means "twin" in Aramaic. The name first appeared in written records in the 13th century, with its earliest instances found in Yorkshire and other northern counties.

The surname Scott has its historical roots in Scotland, deriving from the Old English word "Scottas," which referred to the Gaelic-speaking people of Ireland. The name first appeared in written records in the 12th century, particularly associated with the Scottish Borders region.

The surname Stewart has its origins in medieval Scotland, deriving from the Old English term "stiward," meaning steward or guardian. The name first appeared in the 12th century, associated with the office of steward to the Scottish kings, particularly under the reign of David I.

The surname Shaw has its historical roots in the Old English and Old Norse languages, deriving from the word "sceaga," which means "a thicket" or "a grove." This suggests that the name was likely first used to describe individuals who lived near or worked in wooded areas. The surname can be traced back to medieval England, with early records appearing in the 13th century, particularly in regions such as Lancashire and Yorkshire.

The surname Sullivan has its roots in Ireland, deriving from the Gaelic "O'Suileabhain," which means "descendant of Suileabhain." The name Suileabhain itself is believed to be derived from the elements "súil," meaning "eye," and "abhain," meaning "river," suggesting a possible meaning of "hawk-eyed" or "one who lives by the river." The surname first appeared in historical records in the 11th century, particularly in the province of Munster, where the O'Suileabhain clan was prominent. Over time, the Sullivans became known as a significant Gaelic family, with members often taking on roles as warriors, landowners, and leaders within their communities.

The surname Stevens has its roots in the medieval period, deriving from the given name Stephen, which itself comes from the Greek name "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "garland." The name became popular in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, as many Normans bore the name. The surname Stevens is classified as a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Stephen." Over time, it became associated with various occupations, particularly in the context of the church, as St.

The surname Simpson has its historical roots in England and Scotland, deriving from the medieval given name "Simpson," which means "son of Simon." The name Simon itself has Hebrew origins, meaning "he has heard." The surname first appeared in written records in the 13th century, with its usage becoming more widespread in the following centuries. Occupations associated with early bearers of the name often included farming and trades, reflecting the agrarian society of the time.

The surname Stone has deep historical roots, primarily derived from the Old English word "stan," meaning "stone." It first appeared in England during the medieval period, with records dating back to the 12th century. The name was often occupational, referring to those who worked with stone, such as stonemasons or builders, reflecting the importance of stone in construction and architecture during that era.

The surname Spencer has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old French word "despensier," which means "steward" or "dispenser of provisions." It first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, when it was used to denote individuals who managed the household or estate of a noble family. Over time, the surname became associated with various occupations, particularly in the context of managing supplies and provisions, which were crucial for the functioning of large estates.

The surname Simmons has its historical roots in the patronymic tradition, deriving from the given name Simon, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning "he has heard." The surname first appeared in England during the medieval period, with records dating back to the 13th century. As a patronymic surname, it indicated "son of Simon," and was often associated with individuals who held various occupations, including farming and trades.

The surname Snyder has its roots in the German and Dutch languages, deriving from the Middle High German word "snîder," which means "tailor." This occupational surname first appeared in the regions of Germany and the Netherlands during the medieval period, particularly in the 13th century. As a surname, Snyder was often associated with individuals who worked as tailors or in related trades, reflecting the importance of textile production and clothing in medieval society.

The surname Simon has deep historical roots, tracing back to the Hebrew name "Shim'on," which means "he has heard." It first appeared in various forms across Europe, particularly in the Middle Ages, as Jewish communities began to adopt surnames for identification purposes. The name Simon became prominent in Christian contexts as well, often associated with figures in the New Testament, such as Simon Peter, one of Jesus' apostles.

The surname Stevenson has its roots in the medieval period, primarily in England and Scotland. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Stephen," which itself comes from the Greek name "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "garland." The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 13th century, with variations appearing in historical documents as "Stevenson" and "Stevens." The name was often associated with individuals who held positions of social importance, such as landowners or clerics, reflecting the common practice of naming children after their fathers.

The surname Stephens has its roots in the given name Stephen, which is derived from the Greek name "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "garland." Historically, the surname first appeared in England during the medieval period, with records dating back to the 12th century. It was often associated with individuals who held positions of significance within the church or local governance, as St.

The surname Todd has its historical origins in medieval England and Scotland, deriving from the Old English word "todde," which means "fox." This association with the fox likely reflects characteristics such as cunning or agility, traits that were admired in both animals and humans. The surname first appeared in written records in the 13th century, particularly in the northern regions of England and southern Scotland, where the fox was a common animal in the landscape.

The surname Sherman has its historical roots in the Old English term "sherman," which referred to a "shearer" or "shepherd," indicating a profession related to sheep farming and wool production. This occupational surname first appeared in England during the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, as the wool trade became a significant part of the economy.

The surname Sharp has its historical roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old English word "scearp," which means "sharp" or "keen." It is believed to have first appeared in the 13th century, often as a nickname for someone with a sharp wit or a keen intellect, or possibly for a person who was particularly skilled in a trade, such as a sharpener of tools or weapons. Over time, the surname became hereditary, with individuals bearing the name often associated with various occupations, including blacksmithing and craftsmanship.