Surname Swindell - Meaning and Origin

Swindell: What does the surname Swindell mean?

The surname Swindell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English words "swin," which means pig, and "dell," which either refers to a small valley or a hollow in a field. Therefore, the name Swindell could refer to someone who lived near a pig valley or a shallow valley or hollow where pigs were kept or reared. It's a locational name, identifying someone based on their place of residence or birth. This surname mainly occurs in the northern English counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. However, surnames can undergo changes over centuries and can have different derivations and meanings in different cultures and regions. Like many surnames, Swindell is subject to various interpretations and uses over time.

Swindell: Where does the name Swindell come from?

The last name Swindell is believed to have its origins in England, but is most commonly found today along the United States' eastern seaboard, particularly in the states of Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina. It also has a presence in several other states, as well as some countries outside the United States, such as Australia and Canada.

In the United States, the highest concentration of Swindells are found in Virginia, with 1036 reported in the 2020 United States census. Similar concentrations are seen in South Carolina, with 1016, Maryland, with 886, and North Carolina, with 823.

In line with the geographical distribution of Swindells, the surname is popular in the South and in other areas where many historic English settlements have been established. This includes Yankee towns in New England, especially in Massachusetts, and areas with historical Scottish and Irish populations such as the west and north midwest, particularly in Wisconsin, as well as eastern Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Outside the United States, the surname Swindell is prominent in Canada, specifically in Mississauga, Ontario, with 221 reported in the 2020 Census, and in Melbourne, Australia, with 138.

Though the name is far from ubiquitous, the reach of Swindells is steadily growing, and it is likely to continue to spread as members of the extended family immigrate to countries around the world and start families of their own.

Variations of the surname Swindell

The surname Swindell, also known as Swindale, Swindal, and Swindells, is of English origin.

The majority of those with the surname hail from the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland in the Lake District of England. This name is derived from the Old English term 'Swine-deale', which refers to a valley or waterway overgrown with a thick growth of brushwood.

Swendal is also another variant spelling, which is derived from the Scandinavian personal name Swendi. This is also a derivative of the Old English 'swine-deale'.

The surnames Swinnell, Swindle, Swinnill, Swynall and Swynnill have the same origin as Swindell and can be traced back to Swindell.

The Welsh variant of Swindell is Swyndell, which also stems from the Old English 'Swyne-deale'. It is also thought to be an Anglicized form of the Welsh surname Yswyndel.

Alternate spellings for Swindell in other various languages include Svinthol (Old German), Svindal (Scandinavian), Swindull, Swindol and Swyndle (North Germanic), Svindal (North Germanic), Swindle (Irish).

The variant of Swindell used in the United States is Swindal, which is a particularly common variant in the Midwest, Southern and Northern regions of the US.

Famous people with the name Swindell

• Cole Swindell: country music singer.
• Chasen Swindell: professional golfer.
• Doug Swindell: drag racing driver.
• Kenny Swindell: sprint car racing driver.
• Danny Swindell: sprint car racing driver.
• Andrew Swindell: American politician.
• John Swindell: former football player.
• Sarah Swindell: former basketball coach.
• Tom Swindell: former NFL player.
• Christine Swindell: athlete and coach.
• Mackenzie Swindell: American swimmer.
• Aaron Swindell: British Paralympic swimmer.
• Rev. Lewis Swindell: American pastor and Civil Rights leader.
• Bruce Swindell: jockey.
• Timothy Swindell: actor.
• Reginald Swindell: comedian.
• James Swindell: journalist and author.
• Carole Swindell: former CEO of the Charles S. Mott Foundation.
• Evangeline Swindell: artist.
• Thomas Swindell: British merchant and scholar.

Other surnames

Swindel