Surname Swansten - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Swansten: What does the surname Swansten mean?
The last name Swansten is an ancient Nordic and Swedish surname. It is derived from the word 'swan', an important and revered bird in Nordic mythology. In the past, swans were thought to be symbols of purity, truth and protection.
The literal meaning of the name Swansten is 'swan stone'. This likely comes from the Swedish word for ‘stone’, sten. The term ‘swanstone’ was used to refer to stones with a small hole in them, the shape of which resembled that of a swan. These were believed to have magical properties that could protect against dark forces. In some cultures, they were believed to have healing powers, and were used as talismans and charms.
The name Swansten is thought to have emerged in the Middle Ages, when Nordic people began assigning meaning to surnames. Those with the name likely belonged to the higher echelons of society, as symbols of power and protection. Today, the name carries its original meanings, and those bearing it are seen as wise and strong protectors of their families.
Order DNA origin analysisSwansten: Where does the name Swansten come from?
The last name Swansten is fairly rare in the present day. It originated in Scandinavia and spread outward from there. Today, Swansten is most commonly found in countries such as Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.
In the United States, Swansten is primarily concentrated in the Midwest and Northwest regions of the country. In the Midwest, it is most common in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In the Northwest, it is most prominent in Washington and Oregon. St. Louis County, Minnesota is home to many individuals with the Swansten surname.
Outside of the U.S., Swansten can still be found in Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland. It is most common in Northern Europe and in some parts of Eastern Europe as well, particularly in Finland and Norway. In the Scandinavian countries, Swansten is one of the most widely used surnames.
Swansten is not a particularly common last name today, and its presence is mainly concentrated in Northern Europe and the United States. However, its presence in certain countries is strong enough for it to remain recognizable.
Variations of the surname Swansten
The surname Swansten is an anglicized version of a German name 'Swanstein' originating in Bavaria, Germany. In England, it was anglicized to various versions such as Swanston, Swanton, Swantston, and Swansten. Other variants include Swaansteijn (Dutch), Swaanstein (Dutch and German), Svansteen (Swedish) and Svänste (Swedish). Variant spellings in English include Swannston, Swannsten and Swanton.
In the United States, the surname has been recorded under many variations including Swangsten, Swongsten, Swengsten, Swensten, Sweinsten and Swenysten. It is also seen as Svansten, among other variations.
In Germany, the original spelling is predominantly Swanstein or Swaansteijn. It can also be seen as stemming from a root word 'Swantz' which is a variation of 'Schwartz'. This means a 'black one' or someone with dark hair.
All forms of the surname can be found in both the United States and Europe - a sure sign of its long-standing, continental history dating back to the 1800s.
Famous people with the name Swansten
- Eric Swansten: Technology expert who is a former senior vice president for software development at Silicon Graphics and former software executive at PeopleSoft.
- Alexandra Swansten: A professional photographer specializing in fine art portraiture and editorial work.
- Walter Swansten: Award-winning cinematographer who Shot Academy Award-winning film, Ordinary People.
- Ann-Astrid Swansten: Swedish professional snowboarder who competed in the Big Air Snowboard competition in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
- Austin Swansten: Actor, known for his roles in television series like Prime Suspect and Line in the Sand.
- Robert Swansten: Former NFL quarterback and the father of future NFL quarterback Sam Swansten.
- Vernon Swansten: Male American athlete from Texas who attended the University of Texas and competed in football and basketball in competition.
- John Swansten: American-born Broadway actor and film actor known for his role in All My Sons.
- Willa Swansten: Beginning actress with small television roles on Jag and Friends.
- Mckenna Swansten: Child actress and winner of the Best Young Actress award at the 2009 San Diego Film Festival.