Swain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
From this word meaning boy, young male or servant, are derived:
- the generic 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)
- the specific nautical words boatswain (literally "young man in charge of a boat") and coxswain.
[edit] Notable people named Swain
- Diana Swain, Canadian television journalist
- Dominique Swain, American actress
- Fraser Swain legend of times and ideas
- Gladys Swain, French psychiatrist and writer
- People and titles in film and TV - on the IMDb
[edit] Sources
[edit] See also
- Candle swain (known as the kertilsveinar at the Norwegian hird, i.e. royal court)
- Swain Coat of Arms
- Swain County, North Carolina
- Swain School of Design
