Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Switzer” come from?

Switzer comes from German Schwytzer, a demonym for inhabitants of Schwyz, a canton in central Switzerland.

Switzer (English): A native or inhabitant of Switzerland, a Swiss...

Definitions

  1. A native or inhabitant of Switzerland, a Swiss...

Ancestry of “Switzer”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanSchwytzera Swiss person
2Middle High GermanSwīzthe valley or the town of Schwyz; Schwyz
3Old High GermanSuittesthe town of Schwyz
4Old High Germanswīdanto burn
5Proto-West Germanicswīþanto burn, to singe
6Proto-Germanicswīþanąto burn, singe
7Proto-Indo-Europeanswey-to twist, swing; to hiss; whistle; to swing,...
8Proto-Indo-Europeansew-to press out, extract; juice; liquid, rain; to...

Words derived from “Switzer”

  • Switzerland
  • চুইজাৰলেণ্ড
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sew- →