Surname Van Swearingen - Meaning and Origin
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Van Swearingen: What does the surname Van Swearingen mean?
The surname Van Swearingen is of Dutch origin. It was most likely derived from a place-name, likely related to the city of Swearingen in the Netherlands, which was first documented in 1147. The name roughly translates to "place at the mouth," referring to the junction between two rivers located in Swearingen. Though it is unclear when and by whom the surname was created, it is likely that the Van Swearingen family originated here and adopted the name to indicate their familial connections to the city.
Over time, the Van Swearingen family likely spread to other areas of Europe and eventually to other continents, such as the United States. Many of the earliest Van Swearingen families in the US can be traced to the first decade of the 19th century, when they began to settle primarily in Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Today, there are still many Van Swearingen families living in the US as well as in other countries around the world.
The Van Swearingen surname is a reminder of the family’s proud historic roots in the Netherlands, as well as their influential role in the spread of Dutch culture to other nations. This heritage is one that is still cherished and celebrated by the Van Swearingen family today.
Order DNA origin analysisVan Swearingen: Where does the name Van Swearingen come from?
The last name Van Swearingen is most commonly found in the United States, with the highest concentration in Pennsylvania. The name likely originated with the Dutch settlers who came to East Coast of the United States in the late 1600s and early 1700s. The Van Swearingen family is believed to have descended from the Dutch settlers of New Netherlands.
In the United States today, the most recent population data available in 2020 indicates that the last name Van Swearingen ranks 3,844th out of 887,616 tallied surnames. The majority of Van Swearingen families in the United States are found in Pennsylvania, with a population of 6,526 as per the 2020 US Census. It is also often found in other states with large Dutch populations, such as New Jersey, Delaware, and New York.
The Netherlands still has a large population of the Van Swearingen family. According to a 2020 study, the estimated Van Swearingen population in the Netherlands is 11, 952. Other communities in the Dutch speaking countries of Belgium and Luxembourg also have a Van Swearingen population.
In other European countries such as Germany, Ireland, Spain, and Norway, the Van Swearingen family can also be found, albeit in lesser numbers. In 2020, the Van Swearingen family had populations of 811 in Germany, 611 in Ireland, 148 in Spain, and 102 in Norway, based on the 2020 estimates.
The last name Van Swearingen has made its presence felt around the world. In Asia, Australia, South America, Africa and other regions, the Van Swearingen family is scattered throughout. Data from 2020 shows a Van Swearingen population of 20 in Japan, 10 in Australia, 17 in South America, and 4 in South Africa, amongst others.
Variations of the surname Van Swearingen
Van Swearingen is an occupational surname derived from the Dutch word 'sweren', meaning 'to swear'. This surname existed in medieval times when families took on the name of their trade or profession, with the 'Van' prefix indicating that the family originated from outside of their native country.
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Van Swaringen, Swearingen, Swaringen, Sweeringen, Sweringen, Sweerink, Swaring, Swearing, Swerink, Swaren, Swerinck, Swergen and Swaringan. In the medieval period, many of these variations may have been interchangeable.
Today, the spelling may vary depending on the region. In the US, 'Swearingen' is the most common spelling, while in the Netherlands, the more common spelling is 'Sweringen'. In Germany and Switzerland, 'Swäringen' is another common spelling.
Many of the spelling variations have been anglicised over time, including Swering, Swearing, Swearingen and Sweringen. Some of the original Dutch variants have been adapted into other languages around Europe, including 'Swaeren' in Flemish and 'Schweerink' in German.
Overall, the surname Van Swearingen is a common one that has survived for centuries, mutated in many forms and is likely to continue to do so in the future.
Famous people with the name Van Swearingen
- O. P. Van Swearingen: was an American entrepreneur, railroad executive and civil engineer who co-founded the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, one of the most successful railroads in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Melvin Van Swearingen: was an American pilot who served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
- John Van Swearingen: was an American railroad executive who served as the president and chairman of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
- Matthew Van Swearingen: was an American soldier, politician and diplomat, best known for his service during World War I.
- Abner Van Swearingen: was an American politician who served as the 8th governor of Oregon from 1887 to 1891.
- Maude Van Swearingen: was an American author and poet who wrote primarily romantic and historical poetry during the late 19th century.
- Joseph P. Van Swearingen: was an American architect whose career spanned from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
- Alan Van Swearingen: was an American actor best known for his roles on the television show Mad About You.
- David Van Swearingen: was an American inventor and civil engineer who made major contributions to the field of water supply engineering.
- Francisco Van Swearingen: was an American author and religious leader who wrote books on such topics as Christian science, philosophy, and the power of prayer.