Surname Swayze - Meaning and Origin
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Swayze: What does the surname Swayze mean?
The last name Swayze is of Scottish origin. It is thought to be derived from a place name located near Edinburgh known as Swaezepark that was owned by the Scottish noble family of Swayze in the 13th century. The name is also found in other parts of the world, such as south and east of England, Wales, and sometimes even in Ireland, but it probably did not originate from there.
Swayze is derived from the Old English word ‘swec’, which means “lively” or “high-spirited”. As a surname, Swayze is very rare. However, it has been associated with the media quite frequently due to the late actor Patrick Swayze, who was a beloved dance star in the film Dirty Dancing (1987) and an Oscar-nominated actor for his role in Ghost (1990).
The surname Swayze typically refers to someone who is passionate, energetic and bright. The name is often associated with a creative force and strength of character, which was certainly true for Patrick Swayze who used his art to bring immense joy and energy to his fans.
The name Swayze is believed to have always held a special significance due to its strong association with bravery, ambition, and an adventurous life that requires a person to take action and charge ahead without any fear. The Swayze family history is one of strong will and determination, which is reflected in the modern-day members of this rather exclusive surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSwayze: Where does the name Swayze come from?
The surname Swayze is an anglicized version of the Irishized surnames MacSuibhse, MacSwase, and MacSoise, which in turn stems from the old Irish name Mac Dubhsith. The MacDubhsith family originated in County Wexford, Ireland. The earliest known record of the name in Ireland dates back to the 1400s when Gilchrist and Donald MacSwase were listed as nobles of Irish-Norse descent.
The surname Swayze is most often found in the United States today, mainly in parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic regions that were largely settled by Irish and Scots-Irish immigrants in the 1700s and 1800s. Evidence of the surname can also be found in Canada and Great Britain, although much less frequently. Records indicate that the surname Swayze served in the armies of both Great Britain and the United States during World War I, a testament to the popularity of the surname in the early 20th century.
Today, the surname Swayze can be found in nearly every corner of the United States, from small towns to large cities. In the United Kingdom, the surname is most common in England, Scotland, and Wales, with smaller populations in Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. It is also found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Swayze
The surname Swayze is of English, Irish and German origin. It derives from the Old English word 'sweise', meaning a young swine, and was originally an occupational name for a pig herder.
Variants of the surname Swayze include Swaise, Swais, Sweazey, Swazey, Sweesy, Sweesey, Swayse, Sweyze, Swesey, Swenyse, Sweezee, Sweezey, Sweesie, Swayzee and Sweesey.
The surname also has several spelling variations, which include Sweesee, Swasey, Swees, Swazey, Swaisey, Sweys, Sways, Swayne, Swesey and Swayzee.
In Ireland, the name is an Anglicization of the Gaelic name Mac Suibhne, which is derived from the Gaelic word 'suibhne', meaning pleasant. Variations of this surname include MacSweeny, MacSweene, MacSweney, McSweeney, MacSween, McSwain, McSwaine and MacSwyne.
In Germany, variations of the surname Swayze include Schwetze, Swezey, Schwaz and Schwetz.
Overall, the Swayze surname is rich in variants and spellings from its different origins. Each of its variations reflects the surname's evolution from its Anglo-Saxon roots to its existence in the modern day.
Famous people with the name Swayze
- Patrick Swayze: American actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter, best known for his roles in Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990).
- Lisa Niemi Swayze: American actress, dancer, director, author, and widow of Patrick Swayze.
- Don Swayze: American actor and brother of Patrick Swayze.
- Sean Swayze: American actor and brother of Patrick Swayze.
- Chad Everett Swayze: American actor who is the son of Patrick and Lisa.
- Troy W. Swayze: American stylist and the nephew of Patrick and Don Swayze.
- Violett Bell Ponder: Patrick Swayze's paternal grandmother.
- Huey Pierce Swayze: Patrick Swayze's grandfather.
- Judd Apatow: American director, producer, and comedian who is married to Lisa Niemi Swayze.
- Tatum O'Neal: American actress and widow of John McEnroe who was briefly engaged to Patrick Swayze.