zwagers

Zwagers is a Dutch term that functions as the plural of zwager, meaning brother-in-law. In everyday Dutch, zwagers refers to multiple individuals related by marriage to the same person, typically male relatives. The word can appear in phrases such as “mijn zwagers” (my brothers-in-law) and is used in both formal and informal contexts.

As a surname, Zwagers exists as a Dutch family name. It is generally understood to derive from the same root as the noun zwager, reflecting a familial connection by marriage or a descriptive nickname associated with such a relation. Like many Dutch surnames, it may have originated from a personal characteristic, a status within a household, or an association with a specific family story. The surname Zwagers is relatively uncommon and is most frequently found among people of Dutch descent or within Dutch diaspora communities.

In historical records and genealogical research, the surname Zwagers may appear in civil registries, church books, and local archives. Because surnames can migrate with migration and change through spelling variants, researchers often cross-reference related forms and consult regional records to trace lineage. The term zwagers, in its non-surname use, remains the standard Dutch plural for brothers-in-law and is distinct from other related kinship terms in the language.