Surname Swightser - Meaning and Origin
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Swightser: What does the surname Swightser mean?
The surname Swightser is an English patronymic surname derived from the given name Sweithere. The name Sweithere is a variant of the old English name Swein. Swein derived from the Old Nordic personal name “Sveinn” meaning “Boy” or “Youth”. This personal name was born by the son of King Harald hair fair of Norway in the Viking period.
The surname Swightser shared the same roots as both the French surname Switzer and the Dutch surname Sweeter, which both derive from the same source. Some pronominal branches of the Swightser surname can be seen in such variations as Swet, Sweets, and Sweater.
The earliest record of the surname Swightser dates back to 1273 when Andrew Sweithere was registered in the Pipe Rolls of Cumberland. Throughout the centuries, the name Swightser has transformed and changed, taking on new spellings as it spread throughout England and eventually to mainland Europe and the New World.
Present day Swightsers can trace their heritage to that ancient Norse name in the Viking age. The surname stands as a reminder of that rich history and the contribution to modern society by the Swightser family.
Order DNA origin analysisSwightser: Where does the name Swightser come from?
The last name Swightser is fairly uncommon today and may have originated as a variation on either the British surnames Sweitzer, Sweetser, Swittzer, Switzer, or Swetser. The surname is mostly found in the United States, Canada, and parts of England.
In the United States, states such as New York, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois have the highest concentrations of people with the last name Swightser. Generally, those states have a more diverse population, so the surname may have been passed down from early immigrants.
The U.S. Social Security Death Index (1837-present) shows that the last name Swightser is indeed quite rare due to its low frequency in public records. Records indicate that the name has been in existence since the late 1800s and most likely has its roots in the United Kingdom or Germany.
The surname may have been introduced by immigrants from those countries, as well as France and the Netherlands. It is interesting to note that metallic typefaces that appear to be of German or Dutch origin have been used at times to render the name Swightser.
Little else is known about the origin of the name, but it is unique and uncommon enough that it is easy to recognize when you encounter it. It likely originated in Europe and was brought across to North America by immigrants, where it gradually spread to various parts of the U.S. and Canada.
Variations of the surname Swightser
The surname Swightser is an anglicized form of the German name Schwitzer, which has its origin in Switzerland. It is also spelled as Schwickert, Schwitters, Schvitser, Swichaser, Swiker, Swichaser, and Svitzer. The surname can also be found as Switter, Switzer, Swicher, Switser, Sweitzer, and Swighter.
In Scotland, the spelling of the surname is changed to Switzer, Switser, Swichar, and Switser. In England, the spelling is mainly Schwitzer, Shwitzer, Switzer, and Switser. In France, the variant spelling of Schwitzer is Schwizter or Schwitze.
In the Netherlands, the surname is usually spelled as Switzer, Schwitzer, and Switser. In Germany, it is spelled as Schwitzer or Schvitser, while in Poland, the surname is Schwitzer and in Hungary, it is Schwitzer and Schwitzar.
In the United States, the surname Swightser is mainly spelled as Switzer, Sweitzer, or Switser. In New Zealand, it is also spelled as Switzer or Switser.
Swighter is an alternate spelling of the surname, which can be found in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In conclusion, the surname Swightser has a variety of spellings, depending on where it is found in the world. The most common variations are Schwitzer, Shwitzer, Switzer, and Switser. Other variants or alternate spellings include Swichaser, Swiker, Swichaser, Svitzer, Switter, Sweitzer, Swighter, and Swichar.
Famous people with the name Swightser
- Wilbur Swightser, American inventor who developed the first push lawn-mower.
- Joanna Swightser, United States Congresswoman who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010.
- Evan Swightser, American actor who starred in the television series “Big Little Lies.”
- Charles Swightser, award-winning American chef known best for his creations of Creole-style dishes.
- Quentin Swightser, American film director known for directing the drama “Winter’s Sonnet.”
- John Swightser, Grammy Award-winning American musician and composer who has written original works for orchestra, ballet, and film.
- Benjamin Swightser, award-winning American sculptor who works with a variety of mediums including bronze, marble, wood, and ceramic.
- Amber Swightser, American author who wrote a best-selling novel entitled “Kisses In Heaven.”
- Jonathon Swightser, professional American tennis player who has ranked in the Top 30 in singles.
- Jennifer Swightser, American singer who has released several Top 10 singles in the country music genre.