The Engwalls are noted as merchants, industrialists, scholars, bankers, politicians, activists, bureaucrats, military officials, philanthropists, economists, and diplomats.

[1] The earliest known patrilineal member of the Engwall family is Anders Jönsson, a peasant farmer who, before his enrollment in the Jämtlandsdragon regiment in 1746, during the Age of Liberty was granted knighthood.

In the early 19th century the family relocated to Gävle after the royal supervisors of the Karlberg Palace Court chased out Jonas II, Anders Jönsson's grandchild, due to the fear that he would disrupt the Swedish Royal Courts monopoly on row-traffic between Karlberg and Kungsholmen.

The Jacob Engwall Donation Foundation, managed by the Middle Swedish Chamber of Commerce, has since 1987 committed over SEK 1.8 billion towards various charitable endeavors.

The earliest known patrilineal member of the Engwall family is Anders Jönsson Hanström (1726–1797), a peasant farmer who, after his enrollment in the Jämtlandsdragon regiment in 1746, during the Age of Liberty, was granted knighthood .

In 1794, Jöns Olofsson (1791–1794), the family's third son was declared dead due to malnutrition following the Great Famine of 1770.

In an attempt to invoke prosperity and better times the forthcoming child was to be named Engwall, symbolizing "meadow field".

Determined to venture forth, he embarked on a journey at a tender age, making his way to Sundsvall where he secured lodgings as a shopboy.

After a year, his thirst for knowledge and new experiences led him to Gävle, where he found an apprenticeship under the tutelage of an elderly blacksmith named Tullström.

Devoting himself to the craft, Jonas spent six years honing his skills under Tullström's guidance, eventually attaining the esteemed title of journeyman.

Eager to perfect his trade and ascend to the rank of master, he opted to remain in Tullström's service.

Bound by the restrictions imposed by guild regulations, Jonas would have had to wait two more years before he could marry as a "master blacksmith".

The object of his affection was Catharina Christina Bollner, the daughter of a respected commissioner hailing from Trönö parish in Hälsingland.

Thus, Jonas Olsson Engwall embarked on a transformative journey that would shape his life, fueled by a hunger for exploration, love, and the pursuit of expertise in his chosen vocation.

Länsmuseet claims that Jonas Engwall initially started his professional career as a farrier, and swiftly progressed to the rank of journeyman before relocating to Gävle.

In 1825, upon returning to Gävle from Stockholm Jonas Engwall achieved the coveted status of a master farrier.

[3] Jonas Engwall lost 6,000 Riksdaler, equivalent to SEK 3,000,000 ($300,000) as of 2000, due to failed shipbuilding ventures.

Rettig & Co, a company specializing in manufacturing tobacco machines, Jonas Engwall built machinery for the factory in Gävle and in Finland.

The company later failed to fulfill the promise, resulting in Jonas Engwall only producing one machine before resigning.

The Royal Court of Sweden which had held a monopoly on rowing traffic between Karlberg and Kungsholmen, orchestrated Engwall's dismissal due to fear of competition.

[12] In 1945, Sven Engwall actively participated in World War II at the same time as he managed the family business.

[13] Sven acquired Furuviksparken AB together with Gustaf (Gösta) Hjalmar Nygren and served as chairman from 1920.

In 1910, the Engwalls acquired principal ownership in of Norrlands-posten,[15] Bollnäs Tidning,[16][17] Allehanda För Folket,[18] and Serranderstryckeri.

In 1918, nine years after the initial marriage, the Engwalls was able to obtain approval for the insurance company Försäkrings AB.

The family appointed Sven Engwall as chairman and extended Elam Höglund's term as CEO.

[13] The Engwall family was offered positions at the Warsaw Stock Exchange and industrial group Górnośląskie Zjednoczone Huty Królewska i Laura Spółka Akcyjna Górniczo-Hutnicza.

[24] In the early 1910s, the Engwall family obtained principal shareholder-ship in Stockholms Rederi Svea and AB Finnboda Varv.

[25] In the 1920s, Sven Engwall was appointed vice-chairman of Stockholms Rederi Svea and AB Finnboda Varv.

[27] He was appointed as Deputy CEO and served as Head of Organization, Finance, and Personnel at Astra AB after the merger.

[32] In 1985, Jacob Engwall was appointed as CEO of Stefan Trybom AB, a company his family acquired.