Origin & Meaning of the Swain Surname
What does the last name Swain mean?
The surname Swain carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 25,157 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Swain ranks as the #1,412 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Swain come from?
The Swain surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Swain name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Swain trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Swain |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,412 |
| US Count (2010) | 25,157 |
| Per 100K People | 8.53 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Swain
According to the US Census, the Swain surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 25,157 Americans with the Swain last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 66.17% |
| Black | 26.79% |
| Hispanic | 2.61% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.22% |
| Native American | 0.81% |
| Two or More Races | 2.4% |
Popularity of Swain Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Swain surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Swain surname increased by 937 between 2000 and 2010.
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Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Swain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swain
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