Surname de Swart - Meaning and Origin
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de Swart: What does the surname de Swart mean?
The last name de Swart is a Dutch surname derived from the word “swart” meaning black or dark. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word “swart” indicating a dark complexion. The “de” prefix typically indicated a patronymic or toponymic surname indicating a place of origin, a shared family, or a noble ancestry. This term was used in the Middle Ages among the French, Dutch, and Germanic populations, and is still used in some form among them today.
In its most general use, “de Swart” often indicates someone with a dark complexion or of a darker physical characteristic. Historically, the de Swart surname was perhaps reserved for aristocrats that likely had a darker complexion than the general populace. It could also indicate someone from a place called “Swart” which means “black” in Dutch, although no such places exist today.
Today, de Swart is a popular last name in the Netherlands. It is estimated that there are almost 8,000 descendants with the name living in the country and many more living abroad. The de Swart family is often associated with wealth, power, and success.
Generally, the de Swart surname is a sign of an aristocratic family line or of someone who has darker features. It is a strong, proud name, and one that has been able to endure throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisde Swart: Where does the name de Swart come from?
The last name de Swart is primarily found in the Netherlands today. The name is of Dutch origin, and derived from the word ‘zwart’, meaning ‘black’. It is an occupational name for someone born to a blacksmith family. The earliest mention of the name dates back to 1490, in an old Dutch inventorial at Utrecht University.
The family name de Swart can also be found in German-speaking countries of Europe, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also common in the United States, Belgium, and France. As of the 21st century, it is the 19th most common surname in the Netherlands.
The earliest birth record of de Swart is recorded in 1688, in the Dutch region of Drenthe. The oldest known member of the de Swart family is Pieter de Swart, who was born in 1575. His descendants are likely spread throughout the Netherlands today.
The de Swart family would have likely prospered and spread outwards from the Netherlands over the centuries, which explains why they are found in other countries today. With time, the family has likely experienced some triumphs and challenges that other families have faced. Nevertheless, the de Swarts remain popular in the Netherlands even today.
Variations of the surname de Swart
The surname de Swart is a Dutch surname of patronymic origin, meaning "son of Swaert". The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname de Swart are:
Swart, De Swert, Deswart, Deswarte, Deswarthe, Deswert, Deswerte, Deswerth, Deswere, Deswerthe, Dezwart, Dezwarte, Dezwarthe, D'Swart, Swaart, Swaert, Swahrt, Swart, Swarte, Swarthe, Sweart, Swearte, Swearthe, and Szwart.
It is also common for this surname to be written with a hyphen, such as De-Swart, Des-wart, Des-warte, Des-wert, Des-werte, Des-werth, Des-were, Des-werthe, Swa-art, Swa-ert, Swa-hrt, Swe-art, Swe-arte, Swe-arthe, and Szwa-rt.
Given its Dutch origin, the surname is common in many countries that were historically influenced by Dutch culture and colonization, such as South Africa, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the currents parts of Indonesia, as well as the United States (particularly in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania).
In some cases, de Swart has been adopted as a first or middle name, or various variations altering the spelling of the name, such as Deswartz, Deswart, and Deswertz, have been used as given names. Similarly, the surname has become combined with other surnames to create new surnames (often hyphenated) such as De Groot-Swart and Tam-Swart.
Famous people with the name de Swart
- Caro de Swart: Dutch film producer
- Darryl de Swart: South African rugby player
- Felix de Swart: Dutch documentary filmmaker
- Guido de Swart: Dutch tug of war athlete
- Hendri de Swart: Dutch cyclist
- Jaimie de Swart: Dutch academic specializing in architecture
- Jeffrey de Swart: Dutch football player
- Laura de Swart: Dutch director and producer
- Malou de Swart: Dutch equestrian
- Marian de Swart: Dutch writer
- Marijke de Swart: Dutch television presenter
- Mirjam de Swart: Dutch writer
- Peter de Swart: Dutch philosopher
- Roel de Swart: Dutch educator
- Willem de Swart: Dutch draughtsman
- Wouldimus de Swart: Dutch professor of public economics.
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "de Swart"
18.12.2023
origin of the surname De Swardt