Surname Swingly - Meaning and Origin
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Swingly: What does the surname Swingly mean?
The last name Swingly is of English origins. It is an occupational surname, derived from the Old English word swingle, which means a reaper or scyther. During the Middle Ages, the profession of reaping and harvesting crops was an important one, so many people would have had this last name. It is likely that the Swingly family were farmers or agricultural laborers who specialized in harvesting crops. In more recent years, the name has taken on more of a generic meaning of swinging or swaying.
In terms of the origin of the Swingly family name, it is generally accepted that it was derived from a Middle English word which is presumed to have come from a Scandinavian or Viking origin. It is thought that this last name was most likely in the form of 'Swiningdyr', meaning someone who is a 'swinger', so to speak. The surname would have then been anglicised over time to become Swingly.
Today, the Swingly name is found mainly in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and some parts of Europe. It is linked to the English counties of Cheshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, and Lancashire, as well as the Scottish border counties.
Given its origin and capabilities of meaning, the Swingly surname is an unusual one that can evoke feelings of dynamism and leisure. It often symbolises someone who is hard-working yet, at the same time, excels at taking time off.
Order DNA origin analysisSwingly: Where does the name Swingly come from?
The last name Swingly is most commonly found in the United States today. The name was first found in Pennsylvania in the 1800s, where it has since spread across the country. Swingly is a fairly uncommon last name, with only around 8,600 people carrying the name in the United States as of 2021.
Most Swinglys are located in the Northeastern United States, with a concentration of people located in New York and Pennsylvania. There are smaller populations throughout the Midwest, West Coast, and South, mainly among immigrant families.
In recent years, some Swinglys have emigrated to countries with large immigrant populations, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The name is relative unknown outside of the English-speaking world and is still an uncommon name in most places.
The origins of the name are unknown, but it is likely of Anglo-Saxon or Germanic orgin, as it appears to be a variation of an Old English name, most likely Swinley or Swing. Some historians believe the name was derived from 'Swingly Hill', referring to a hill with a swing on it in England.
The Swingly surname is most likely to be shared by extended family members and those living in the same geographical region. It is a name of distinction and many people carry it with pride as it links them to their ancestors in the original New World of the 1600s and 1700s.
Variations of the surname Swingly
The surname Swingly is commonly seen as Swingley, Swingle, Swingel, Swingle, and Swingleigh. This family name is said to have multiple origins, though of Anglo-Saxon descent.
The variant spellings of Swingley originates in the Olde English term swingel, which refers to a person of declivity or a flat piece of land. In some cases it was derived from having resided at the edge of a swingel, or at a house near a brook.
The variant spelling of Swingle is derived from an old variant of Shingler, which was some who specialized in the segregation of tiles.
Swingel and Swingleigh appear to be more localized version of Swingley. Swingel being a Suffolk variation from where the Swingly family is native and Swingleigh located close to its original residence of Saltfleetby, in the county of Lincolnshire.
The surname Swingly can also be seen in various Anglicized versions, such as Singley, Singleday and Singleton. Singleton is the most common of the forementioned variant, derived from the baptismal name Singletuna meaning ‘single enclosure’ - a single enclosed homestead or village.
Famous people with the name Swingly
- Jessie Swingley: American singer and songwriter who gained popularity with her single "Hollow Out of My Life" in 2018.
- Robert Swingley: Famous American architect who designed a number of iconic landmarks, such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
- Morty Swingley: A prominent American actor who was best known for starring in numerous Broadway productions including Chicago and Grease. He also had a successful television career spanning three decades.
- Ellen Swingley: An award-winning author and public speaker. She is notable for her best-selling children’s books, such as The Adventures of Abby and Larry.
- Sandra Swingley: An influential American businesswoman. She was the Chief Operating Officer of the tech giant Google and was listed in Fortune Magazine’s “Most Powerful Women” list.
- William Swingley: An Oscar-winning American film director. He is most well-known for being the creator of the iconic romantic comedy, You’ve Got Mail.
- David Swingley: An American poet and winner of the National Book Award. He was also an advocate for human rights and freedom of expression.
- Stephen Swingley: A two-time Tony Award-winning American theatre director. He was the long-time director of the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company.