Surname Swett - Meaning and Origin
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Swett: What does the surname Swett mean?
The last name Swett has a Scottish origin. It is believed to have arisen as a nickname derived from the Old English word “Swaet,” meaning sweet or pleasant. The surname was first recorded in 1150 in Scotland, where it was spelled as ‘Swete’.
In Scotland, the surname was often found near the River Tweed in the area around Berwick-upon-Tweed, the county town of East Lothian. In other areas of the English-speaking world, the last name Swett has also been found, usually as an anglicized spelling of the Irish surname Mac Suibhne which means “son of Suibhne”.
Today, the surname Swett can still most commonly be found in Scotland and Ireland, but also with some presence in other countries. It is often linked to the Christian faith, with those who bear the name belonging to the Presbyterian church.
The meaning of the surname Swett has remained constants through the centuries – someone who is “sweet”, affable, and pleasant. A bearer of the name Swett, then, might be characterized as someone who is kind and welcoming to those around them.
Order DNA origin analysisSwett: Where does the name Swett come from?
The last name Swett is mostly associated with the United States of America. According to the American Census Bureau, as of 2019 there were a total of 2,167 people with the surname Swett living in the US. The most common states with the highest populations of Swetts were: Massachusetts with 665 people, Florida with 402 people, and Maine with 277 people.
Swett is of English origin and was first recorded in Devon in 1150 when Robert Sywett was noted in the historical documents. The name comes from a nickname associated with being sweet, generous, and friendly.
The Swett family has roots in England, as well as Ireland, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Wales, and the Netherlands. Today, the Swett name is still active in the United States, but it is not as popular as it once was. However, you will still find individuals bearing this name in pockets throughout the country.
Variations of the surname Swett
Swett is an English surname and is derived from the Old English words ‘swot’ meaning ‘strong’ or ‘swell’ meaning ‘high and proud’. Other spellings of Swett include Sweet, Swet, Sweete, Swete, Swit, Switt and Switte. Swett is also an Americanized version of the French and German surnames Sué and Schweit respectively.
The variants and spellings of the surname Swett can also be used as forenames. Some examples of Swet as a forename include Swet Angelina, Swet Bertha, Swet Finn and Swet Gertrude.
Surnames sensitive to Swett include Sweat, Sweatman, and Sweatt. Sweat is the most common variant of Swett and is often used interchangeably with it. Sweat is also an Americanized version of the French Suét and the German Schweett. Sweatman is derived from the Old English ‘swebest’ meaning ‘dishonest’ and is of the same origin as Swett.
Swette, Swittel and Switt rich are German and Central European variants of Swett. Swittell is derived from the Old German words ‘swerht’ meaning ‘haughty’ and ‘tellen’ meaning ‘dweller’. Swittle is derived from the Syriac ‘suweda’ meaning ‘blessing’ and is a modern Anglicized form of the Biblical name Sheweda. Swittrich is derived from the Middle High German ‘swajtre’ meaning ‘sweet’, hence the modern form ‘Switrich’.
Finally, surnames related to Swett include Switzer and Sw ift. Switzer is derived from the French ‘suisse’ meaning ‘Swiss’ and Sw ift is derived from the Middle English ‘swift’ meaning ‘speedy’. Switzer is an occupational name for one who works in Switzerland or a Swiss by descent. Sw ift was originally a nickname for a person with a swift-moving style or behaviour.
Famous people with the name Swett
- Ross Swett: American politician
- David F. Swett: American professional artist
- Muriel Terman Swett: American businesswoman
- Cora Mae Swett: American writer
- Mildred Swett: American poet
- Charles Henry Swett: American sailor
- Harvey Swett: American politician
- Marshall Swett: American producer and writer
- John Swett: American painter
- Jonas Swett: American attorney
- Thomas Wheeler Swett: American businessman
- William Swett: American soldier
- Hugh Swett: American politician
- David Swett: American politician
- Shep Swett: American librarian
- Hugh Swett: American actor
- Rachel Swett: American actress
- Jennifer Swett: American actress
- William Elliott Swett: American politician
- Steven Swett: American musician and producer