Swain is a traditional English surname derived ultimately from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn (Sven, Sweyn), meaning a youth, young man. There are a number of variations in the spelling of the surname Swain, including Swaine, Swainne and Swayne.

Swain is also a surname in Orissa India

From this word meaning boy, young male or servant, are derived:

• the noun swain, meaning a rustic lover or boyfriend, cf. the numerous examples in Shakespeare's work, including his lyric, "[w]ho is Sylvia, what is she that all our Swains commend her" (from The Two Gentlemen of Verona)
• there are also specific nautical words involving swain: boatswain (literally "young man in charge of a boat") which can be seen in Shakespeare's The Tempest, and coxswain.

Notable people named Swain

• Brennan Swain, American television star and winner of The Amazing Race
• David Lowry Swain, governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina, 1832-1835
• Diana Swain, Canadian television journalist
• Dominique Swain, American actress
• Gladys Swain, French psychiatrist and writer
• Louisa Ann Swain, first woman in America to vote in a general election
• Paul Swain, New Zealand politician
• Richard Swain, New Zealand rugby league footballer

Sources

• Etymology on-line

See also

• Candle swain (known as the kertilsveinar at the Norwegian hird, i.e. royal court)
• Swain County, North Carolina
• Swain School of Design
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