Surname Swaney - Meaning and Origin
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Swaney: What does the surname Swaney mean?
The last name Swaney is believed to be of Irish origin, originating from the Gaelic surname "Mac Suibhne," which means "son of Suibhne." The name Suibhne itself means "pleasant" or "well-disposed." Therefore, the surname Swaney, derived from these origins, can be loosely interpreted as "descendant of the pleasant one." The surname has several variations in spelling including Sweeney, Swiney, and Suiney. Like many surnames, it evolved over time and across regions, influenced by immigration patterns, regional dialects, and cultural blending. Hence, the surname collection to which Swaney belongs is rich in cultural and historical significance.
Order DNA origin analysisSwaney: Where does the name Swaney come from?
Swaney is a surname that is primarily found in the United States, and less frequently in other parts of the world. The surname dates back to the early 1800s when immigrants settled in the United States.
The United States Census records from 1890 indicate that the surname Swaney was most frequently found in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina. In Pennsylvania, the counties of Berks, Lancaster, and Huntingdon accounted for the highest concentration of individuals with the surname Swaney in this time period. At the turn of the century, more individuals with the surname began to move west, and the surname was found more in states such as Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska. In the 1950s, the surname began to spread outside of the Middle Atlantic and Midwest regions of the United States, and is now found across the US and internationally in places such as Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Today, the last name Swaney is still seen in most of these same locations, although the surname has become increasingly rare. In the 2000 US Census, the Swaney surname was estimated to be present in only 0.004% of the population, making it one of the least common last names in the country.
Variations of the surname Swaney
The surname Swaney is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name Swegen, derived from swīgan meaning ‘to make loud noises’. Swaney, Swany, Swainey, Swaney, Swayne, Swainey, Swainy, Swein, Sweany, Sweeney and Swina are all variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Swaney.
Swaney is more common in the north of England, especially Lancashire and Cheshire. The earliest reference to the name in England dates back to a William Swaney in the 12th century at the ancient legacy of St. Bees Priory, then in the diocese of Durham. In 1275, a Simon Swane was documented in Suffolk. During the 14th century, a Thomas Swein was recorded in Horncastle, Lincolnshire.
Swany is a variant spelling of this surname found mainly in the North East of England. The surname appears to be derived from a place name, such as Swayneby in Lincolnshire. This surname is an habitational name, derived from the Old Norse word ‘svonn’ for ‘young swine’. Other variant spellings include Sweany and Swiney.
Swayne is found mainly in the South West of England, and it is believed to be derived from either Swegen, an Old English personal name, or from the Old Norse word ‘svain’, meaning ‘young swine’. Swayne is also found in Ireland, particularly in County Kerry. Variants of this surname include Swainey and Swainy.
Sweeeny is found mainly in County Mayo in Ireland. This name is derived from the Old Irish name Suibhne, meaning ‘wolf’, and is thus a patronymic name. Variant spellings of this surname are Sweany and Swina.
In conclusion, the surname Swaney has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin in both England and Ireland. These variants include Swany, Swainey, Swaney, Swayne, Swainey, Swainy, Swein, Sweany, Sweeney and Swina.
Famous people with the name Swaney
- Mike Swaney: Mike Swaney is an American professional skateboarder and an X-Games gold medalist. He has an impressive skateboarding career and has been sponsored by several major skateboarding companies.
- Victoria Swaney: Victoria Swaney is an elite rower from America and is a four-time national championships medalist. She was also a member of the United States Rowing Team at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Lauren Swaney: Lauren Swaney is a professional figure skater and a two-time National Medalist. She has won several medals in the U.S. Open Figure Skating Championship and was also a 2018 World Junior Champion.
- Josh Swaney: Josh Swaney is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and Broadway performer. In 2019, he released his debut solo album and has since played several concerts and events across the country.
- Dave Swaney: Dave Swaney is a professional drag racer and one of the most successful Pro Stock motorcycle racers in the history of the National Hot Rod Association. He has won four national championships and several races.
- Savannah Swaney: Savannah Swaney is an American actress who has starred in numerous movies and television shows. She is most known for her roles in the TV series "Criminal Minds" and the movie "The Social Network".