Swain (surname)


Swain is an English surname derived from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn, from an Old Norse word meaning a youth or young man, and hence a young male attendant. There are a number of variations in the spelling of the surname Swain, including Swaine, Swainne, and Swayne.
From this word meaning boy, young male or lover, are derived:
  • The noun swain, meaning a rustic lover or boyfriend, cf. the numerous examples in Shakespeare's work, including his lyric, "ho is Sylvia, what is she that all our Swains commend her" and "O God! methinks it were a happy life, To be no better than a homely swain;"
  • There are also specific nautical words involving swain: boatswain which can be seen in Shakespeare's The Tempest, and coxswain.
The American Old West outlaw John Wesley Hardin used various aliases with Swain as the surname.
People with the name include: