Surname Swanstoun - Meaning and Origin
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Swanstoun: What does the surname Swanstoun mean?
The last name Swanstoun is a Scottish surname which has been passed down through many generations. It is a habitation name, meaning it is derived from the name of the place where the original bearer of the surname worked or lived.
Swanstoun originates from a place named Swanston, which is located near Edinburgh in East Lothian. The earliest recorded use of the name Swanstoun dates from around 1250 and was given to William de Swanestoun, who was a local landowner in the area. It is likely that the family was descendants of Normans who settled in Scotland in the 11th century.
The meaning of Swanstoun is derived from two words: swan(e) which means swan and stoun meaning stone. So, a literal translation can be understood as ‘Swan Stone'. It is possible that this name may have been given to someone in the past as a sign of affluence or wealth due to their connection with a swan.
Today, there are many people who have the name Swanston still living mainly in Scotland. People with this surname have spread to many different countries such as The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The name Swanstoun is an interesting and unique family name that still carries on through many generations, keeping the memory of their ancestors alive.
Order DNA origin analysisSwanstoun: Where does the name Swanstoun come from?
The last name Swanstoun is most commonly found today in Scotland and Canada. In Scotland, the name is concentrated chiefly in the historical region of East Lothian. The name first appeared in East Lothian records in the 14th century, with Walter de Swanstoun recorded in 1382. By the 16th century, the Swanstoun family had become one of the largest landowners in East Lothian, with members becoming prominent in politics, law, and religious administration.
In Canada, the name originated from a Scottish emigrant family in the mid-18th century. They settled in present-day Nova Scotia and, subsequently, Manitoba. The family established prosperous businesses, with descendants later serving in the Canadian forces.
Today, descendants of the original Scottish families continue to live in East Lothian, Canada, the United States, and other countries, where they may have travelled further for educational, professional, or other reasons. Beyond Scotland and Canada, the name Swanstoun can also be found in places like Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The name is not especially common but does appear occasionally in various records.
Variations of the surname Swanstoun
The surname Swanstoun has many variants, spellings and surnames derived from it. These include Swanston, Swanton, Swnston, Swynton, Swanson, Swansen, Swenson, Schwenzer, Schwenzerin, Swenzer and Swenson.
Swanston is an English, Scottish and Irish name derived from a habitational name derived from any of the various places in England called Swanston. The place name is derived from an Old English word meaning "swan-stone" or "swan stone."
Swanton is an English name derived from a habitational name for someone who lived near a holy stone. The stone's name is derived from the Old English words swan and stán, meaning "swan" and "stone," respectively.
Swnston is an anglicized form of an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name Mac Seain, which is derived from the Irish words mac meaning "son" and seain meaning "little John."
Swynton is an English surname derived from the Old English words siv and dun, meaning "swine" and "hill," respectively.
Swanson is a Scandinavian surname derived from the Old Norse words svanr and sunr, meaning "swan" and "board," respectively.
Swansen is a Scandinavian variation of Swanson.
Swenson is a Swedish variant of the surname Swanson.
Schwenzer is a German and Jewish surname derived from the middle German word schwenze, meaning "tail."
Schwenzerin is the feminine form of Schwenzer.
Swenzer is a Czech-Jewish variation of Schwenzer.
Swenson is a Scandinavian variation of the Swedish surname Swenson.
Famous people with the name Swanstoun
- Brandon Swanston: Former NFL offensive tackle.
- Ryan Swanston: Actor best known for his roles in the television series NCIS: Los Angeles, The Hollow, and Hannibal.
- Jackie Swanston: English actress best known for her roles in Othello, Peacemakers, and Doctors.
- Della Swanston: Australian actress known for her performance in the mini-series Cyclone Tracy.
- William Swanston: Scottish opera singer and lecturer in the 19th century.
- Malcolm W. Swanston: Canadian Member of Parliament in the 1960s.
- David Swanston: Scottish actor best known for his role in the play The Threepenny Opera.
- Colin Swanston: Australian rugby union player in the 1950s-1960s.
- Nat Swanston: American singer-songwriter and pianist.
- William Swanston Jr.: British politician in the 18th century.