Surname Swindle - Meaning and Origin

Swindle: What does the surname Swindle mean?

The surname Swindle originally comes from the Old English word "swindan," which means "to vanish" or "to disappear," indicating a probable occupation of the original bearers of the name as performers or magicians. Its another possible origin could be a descriptive nickname for a deceitful or crafty person, derived from the Middle English word "swindel" meaning "fraud" or "cheat". It is categorized as a nickname surname, which was a type of surname given to a person that described their physical characteristics, mental attributes, moral qualities, or behaviors. It could also potentially derive from a place name, possibly referencing individuals who hailed from an area known as Swindle. The distribution of the surname Swindle is found mostly in the United States, England, and Canada. As with many surnames, the precise origins and meanings can vary or blend over time and a single interpretation may not encompass all the potential historical and cultural nuances of the surname.

Swindle: Where does the name Swindle come from?

The last name Swindle is most commonly found in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2020, there were over 2,000 people with the last name Swindle living in the country.

Most of the individuals with the last name Swindle live in the southeastern region of the United States. In North Carolina, there are over 500 people with the last name living in both Charlotte and Raleigh. It is also a popular name in Virginia and Florida. Other states that have a significant number of people with the last name Swindle include Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

The name also appears in other parts of the world, especially in the United Kingdom and Canada. In the UK, the name is most commonly found in Lancashire, with over one hundred people having the last name. In Canada, the province of Ontario is home to the most people with the last name Swindle.

Overall, the last name Swindle is relatively common in North America, particularly in the United States. It appears in other parts of the world as well, although it is much less common in comparison.

Variations of the surname Swindle

The surname Swindle has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of this surname include Swindells, Swindell, Swindale, Swindalls, Swindel, and Windle. All of these variants typically originate from the northern regions of England, specifically Lancashire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Swindle surname is in 1230 AD in the Lancashire area of England. There, the name could have been derived from a nickname referring to a “swindler” or “schemer” or from the old English word “swandl,” which meant “swindle.”

The Swindle variation can be found in early English charters from Lancashire, such as in a document from 1261 AD that records payment of a feudal service to Adam de Swandal (Swindale). This early example proves that the Swindle surname was already widespread in Lancashire at this time.

The Swindle surname can be found in other parts of England, including Cornwall, Northamptonshire, and Yorkshire. Additionally, a few Irish people adopted this surname.

A variation of Swindle is Swindles, which is found mainly in Cumberland, Lancashire, and Westmorland. The spelling of Swindell is more common in the US, with a few families being found in Canada.

The surname Windle can also be linked to Swindle and could be a variant spelling of the last name, stemming from a medieval word meaning “to wind.” This can be found in the archaic spelling of Swindle, being “Swindele.” Windles are found mainly in the Northern areas of England.

Overall, the Swindle surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. In general, they are all believed to be originating from Lancashire in the 12th century, with most of the variations still stemming from this area of the UK.

Famous people with the name Swindle

• Chris Swindle, British actor most widely known for his appearance in the 2014 horror film Leprechaun: Origins.
• Mike Swindle, former NASCAR Monster Energy Cup driver.
• Rebecca Swindle, American professional softball player for the Chicago Bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch league.
• Ben Swindle, English sportscaster for the British network Sky Sports.
• Bob Swindle, American television actor known for guest starring roles on many sitcoms.
• Bobby Swindle, former Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Chase Swindle, American football defensive end for the University of Alabama.
• Earl Swindle Jr., American civil rights activist and minister.
• Gary Swindle, former National Football League player for the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Grady Swindle, (aka Boots Swindle), American country musician.
• James Swindle, former Major League Baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Joe Swindle, former NASCAR driver in the Xfinity Series.
• John Swindle, British businessman and entrepreneur.
• Josh Swindle, an American mixed martial artist.
• Louis Swindle, British plant collector, field botanist and plant hunter in Africa.
• Robert Swindle, American painter and printmaker known for abstract artworks.
• Scott Swindle, American Christian author and speaker.
• Tommy Swindle, former National Football League player for the Dallas Cowboys.
• Will Swindle, Australian pilot and world adventurer.

Other surnames

SwindallSwindelSwindellSwindoll