Surname Swiney - Meaning and Origin

Swiney: What does the surname Swiney mean?

Swiney is an Anglo-Saxon surname that comes from the Old English personal name, Swin, which means 'friend' combined with the suffix 'ey', often means 'island' or 'water meadow'. Thus the name could suggest a dweller by the water meadow of Swin's island, possibly indicating that the original bearers of the name lived in such a location. Sometimes, it could also be a locational surname, taken from any of several places, named with this word, in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Somerset. The surname Swiney first appeared in Norfolk, England, in early medieval times. Over centuries, variations of the name have been observed with the most common being Swinn, Swinney, Swinny, and Swiney. Surnames during the Middle Ages were often linked to places or occupations, and were essential for taxation purposes, thus giving us insight into the lives of our ancestors.

Swiney: Where does the name Swiney come from?

The surname Swiney is derived from the ancient Gaelic O'Suighneachain, which translates to “descended from the little swine herd”. This surname is most commonly found today in Ireland and the United Kingdom, having originated in the East of Ireland in County Cork.

Swiney is a relatively uncommon family name, but is still found mainly in the greater part of Ireland. In recent years, the surname Swiney has been spread across multiple countries, with many members of the family living in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Irish Swineys who descended from County Cork initially settled in areas of western Ireland such as County Sligo and County Mayo. In county Mayo, the Swiney name was especially popular, with inhabitants in the 19th century seemingly connected to the drive to revive the Irish language.

In the United States, the Swiney family primarily settled in urban areas of the East Coast, particularly New York and Massachusetts. From there, their descendants branched out across the country, leading to the surname’s current prevalence throughout all fifty states.

Swiney is also found in Australia, particularly in the state of Victoria, where the first family members are said to have arrived in the late 19th century.

Though Swiney is a relatively rare name, its prevalence in coastal regions of various countries is testament to the adaptability and success of the family throughout generations.

Variations of the surname Swiney

The surname Swiney has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. While a few of the more popular variations include Swine, Swinney, Swynny, Swinny, and Swinee, there are several more lesser-known forms, such as Swoney, Sweiny, Swinney, Swynie, and Swyney.

Swiney is a surname of German and English origin. It is most commonly found in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall in the United Kingdom. Today, the Swiney surname is also found in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Most derivatives of the Swiney surname are either literally or phonetically derived from the old English word describing “the swineherd”, as in a person who tends to swine or domestic pigs. Some records trace the Swiney surname to the old English words meaning “beadsman”, or a person who tended the livestock on a manor.

The name Swiney is often associated with the surname Whinn. Other less common variation of the Swiney surname include Swynys, Swindy, Swinneys, Swinnedy, Swynnedy, Swyndy, Sweyny, and Swynnie.

In the mid-1800s, the Swiney surname was likely one of the most common surnames in southern Cornwall. During the 19th century, many Swineys migrated out of the British Isles in pursuit of opportunities in the New World. This resulted in many Swiney families migrating out of their homeland and settling in places such as Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Famous people with the name Swiney

• Liz Swiney: Former Miss Washington USA and Chef
• Kory Swiney: body builder
• Tim Swiney: film producer
• Rev. David Swiney: pastor
• Carl Swiney: Country Music Artist
• Dusty Swiney: guitarist and vocalist
• Dean Swiney: small business owner
• Abby Swiney: pole vaulter
• Amber Swiney: influencer
• Delyla Swiney: Blockbuster movie director

Other surnames

Swinerd