Surname Swords - Meaning and Origin

Swords: What does the surname Swords mean?

The last name Swords is an Irish surname that derives from the Gaelic word “sabhradh” which translates to the English word “sword”. According to Irish Genealogy, the surname Swords originated in County Dublin and spread throughout Ireland and is one of the more common names found throughout the country.

Historically, Swords were descendants of the ancient Irish nobility and served as professional soldiers to protect their lands and fend off their enemies. The name proved to be a blessing to their makers as evidenced by the great bravery they displayed in battle.

Swords of the past embraced their namesake and were known for their courage and skill with the sword. They were often praised for their swordsmanship and for their ability to intimidate their opponents.

In more recent times, the surname Swords has come to refer to a more general category of people, including those who may not even live in Ireland. Those named Swords have a reputation for being reliable, hardworking, and successful.

Regardless of its origins, the name Swords has come to represent a strong family legacy that is rooted in the courageous spirits of those who proudly bear its name. It is a name that carries with it centuries of bravery, strength and honour.

Swords: Where does the name Swords come from?

The last name Swords is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the provinces of Leinster and Munster. It is still a very popular surname in the Republic of Ireland, and is recognized as a ‘native Irish’ one. It is also very common in other parts of the British Isles, including Scotland and England.

The origin of the surname Swords is thought to be derived from the Irish word for ‘sword’ – ‘scoird’. The surname could have been given to someone who was particularly skilled in the use of a sword, or to someone who was known for his courage, strength and fighting spirit - qualities associated with the wielder of a sword.

The Swords are thought to be descended from one of the old Gaelic families, and are regarded as a clan or sept of the MacDermotts of Moylurg, who were an ancient dynasty located in County Roscommon in the Irish Midlands.

The name also occurs in many other forms, such as the variants Sword, Swoerd and Schwoerd. In Scotland it is often spelled Swarts, and in England it is sometimes seen as Swordan. The spelling can vary substantially from country to country, and even from region to region.

In the United States, the surname is much less common, particularly in comparison with Ireland. It is still found, though, especially in areas with large Irish populations such as New York City. It is also seen occasionally in other parts of the US, and in countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Swords

The surname Swords is derived from the Old England word "swod", which is an ancient word meaning "weapon". The name is commonly found in the British Isles and across the English-speaking world. It has also been adopted in Ireland, Australia, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Swords include the following: Sword, Swan, Seward, Softland, Soard, Saurd, Suard, Sewardt, and Seaward.

In its original spelling, Swords can appear as swoord, suord, sowrd, swerde, swerd, soarde, soornde, sornde, sworde, swerd, sworde, swords, sowrd, swerd, swordes, swoordes, sowrdes, swerdes, and soardes.

In Ireland, the surname Swords can be found as Ó Súrdha (O'Sword), an anglicisation of the Irish name Mac an Bhaird (son of the bard).

In Scotland, the surname Swords may be adopted from the place name Saur, which translates as "sword". Alternatively, an adoption of an Irish na, from the name Surtees.

In Australia, Swords was an occupation surname given to those who worked with swords, at least originally. It could have been used as a nickname as well, for those who were aggressive or fierce.

In the United States, Swords is most commonly found as Sword, Seaward, Seward, Seaward, Sewardt, Softland, Soard, Saurd, or Suard. However, all of these spellings represent distinct and separate surnames.

Famous people with the name Swords

• Gillian Swords: Irish politician
• Michael Swords: actor
• David Swords: retired professional soccer player
• Brian Swords: former footballer
• William Swords: English producer
• Robert Swords: 1997 Australian skeleton racer
• Pat Swords: 1988 Irish horse racer
• Barry Swords: Irish former Gaelic football
• Janet Swords: British journalist
• Lionel Swords: English actor, screenwriter, director, and producer

Other surnames

Sword