Schweitzer is a German surname meaning "Swiss." It is a regional name for someone who came from Switzerland, derived from the country name Schweiz. EtymologyThe surname Schweitzer belongs to a category of German surnames indicating geographic origin, similar to names like Bayer (Bavarian) or Meier (farm steward). The word "Schweiz" itself refers to Switzerland, a country whose name ultimately derives from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Swiss Confederacy in the 13th century.Notable BearersSeveral notable individuals have borne the Schweitzer surname: Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965), a German theologian, philosopher, organist, and medical missionary who received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize. Brian Schweitzer (born 1955), an American politician who served as Governor of Montana. Anton Schweitzer (1735–1787), a German opera composer known for his work Alceste. Other bearers across different fields include the Canadian politician Douglas Schweitzer, electrical engineer Edmund O. Schweitzer III, inventor of the bus protection relay, and American writer Darrell Schweitzer.VariantsVariants of the name include Switzer, an anglicized form that has its own existing presence.