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Swann History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Swann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland

Etymology of Swann

What does the name Swann mean?

A multitude of prestigious family names, such as the surname Swann, were formed in the lands which became the modern German state of Prussia, known for its beauty, industry and military power. However, in the medieval era, Prussia was fragmented and inhabited by numerous barbarian tribes, who fought amongst themselves for control of the land. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms, which were established after the fall of the Roman Empire, changed repeatedly. The region that came to be known as Prussia was roughly divided between the territories of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia and East Prussia The Swann family emerged in Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Swann family

The surname Swann was first found in Mecklenburg, in the western Baltic region, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times, as early as 1202, with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. Old Mecklenburg chronicles mention Carston von Schwan in 1202 and Heinrich von Schwan, court tutor (Hofmeister) to the Duke of Mecklenburg, in 1248. In 1413 the Knight, Carl von Schwan, accompanied the Bishop Sigismund to Camin to the historical Council of Costnitz. The name would later be associated with a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches in the eastern provinces of Pomerania and Meissen. They became noted for their involvement in social, economic and political affairs, giving the name Schwan to a city near the port of Rostock.

Early History of the Swann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Swann research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1610, 1679, 1729, 1760, 1810 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Swann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Swann Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Swann include Schwan, Schwann, Schwahn and others.

Early Notables of the Swann family

Notable figures of the time with the name Swann were Michael Schwenke (1563-1610), was a German sculptor from Pirna, Saxony. Theodor Schwann (1810-1882), who was one of the most important biologists of the 19th century, mainly because...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Swann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Swann Ranking

In the United States, the name Swann is the 2,336^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1

Swann migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Swann were

Swann Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jo Swann, aged 18, who landed in Virginia in 1635 2
Martha Swann, who landed in Virginia in 1635 2
Richard Swann, who landed in Virginia in 1645 2
Ann Swann, who landed in Virginia in 1649 2
George Swann, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Swann Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Eliza Swann, who arrived in Virginia in 1719 2

Swann Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Swann, who arrived in New York, NY in 1813 2
Esther Swann, aged 20, who landed in America in 1822 2
T F Swann, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1888 2

Swann migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Swann Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Swann, English convict who was convicted in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Captain Cook" on 2nd May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
Mr. George Swann who was convicted in Derby, England for life, transported aboard the "David Malcolm" on 13th May 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island 4
Mr. James Swann, (b. 1819), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Derby, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "David Malcolm" on 13th May 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island, he died in 1867 4
Mr. Samuel Swann who was convicted in Derby, England for life, transported aboard the "David Malcolm" on 13th May 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island 4
John Swann, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on August 08, 1849, settling in Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Swann migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Swann Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Swann, British settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Sir George Symour" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th November 1847 6
Mrs. Elizabeth Swann, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Sir George Symour" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th November 1847 6
Mr. James Butler Swann, (b. 1833), aged 29, English farm labourer, from Lincolnshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 6
Mrs. Margaret Swann, (b. 1834), aged 28, English settler, from Lincolnshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 6
Mr. Arthur Swann, (b. 1857), aged 5, English settler, from Lincolnshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Swann (post 1700) +

Lamin Swann (1977-2023), American politician and businessman, Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from January 2023 until his death
Lynn Curtis Swann (b. 1952), American former NFL professional football player
Lynn Swann (b. 1952), former professional NFL football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers
John Swann (1760-1793), American politician, Delegate to Continental Congress from North Carolina, 1788 7
Jack Karnes Swann, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from North Carolina, 2008 7
J. J. Swann, American politician, Member of Texas State Senate 11th District, 1901-02 7
Howard J. Swann, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1952 7
Howard G. Swann, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Texas, 1956 7
Edward Swann (1862-1945), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from New York 10th District, 1902-03; New York County District Attorney, 1916-21; Candidate for Justice of New York Supreme Court 1st District, 1920 7
Douglas Swann, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Howell, Michigan, 1987 7
... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Swann family +

HMS Cornwall

Lawrence T Swann (d. 1942), British Stoker 1st Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 8

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/captain-cook
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-malcolm
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia in 1849 with 303 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1849
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A