Swanton Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

1. Swanton is an English surname that originated from the village of Swanton Morley in Norfolk, East Anglia.
2. The surname Swanton is derived from the Old English words "Swine" meaning pig, and "tun" meaning enclosure or settlement. Therefore, it originally referred to a settlement where pigs were kept.
3. The Swanton surname is relatively rare, with fewer than 1,000 individuals bearing the surname in the United States today.
4. The Swanton name is most commonly found in Norfolk, where the village of Swanton Morley is located, but it is also found in other parts of England, as well as in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
5. Notable individuals with the surname Swanton include Bill Swanton, an American football coach, and Sir Entienne Swanton, a British journalist and cricket writer.
6. The name Swanton may have variations in spelling, such as Swinton or Swenten, depending on regional dialects and historical variations.
7. The village of Swanton Morley in Norfolk is known for its historic church, St. Peter and St. Paul, which dates back to the 12th century and features a distinct octagonal bell tower.
8. In the United States, Swanton, Ohio is a small village named after a settler with the surname Swanton who arrived in the area in the early 1800s.
9. The Swanton International Tractor Pull, held annually in Swanton, Vermont, is a popular event for tractor enthusiasts from all over the United States and Canada.
10. The Swanton family name may have different origins in other parts of the world, such as Ireland, where it may be an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Suáin, meaning "descendant of Suán."

Here are some famous people with the surname Swanton:
1. Richie Benaud Swanton (1930-2015) - Australian cricketer, journalist, and commentator.
2. Percy Swanton (1903-2000) - British cricketer and journalist.
3. Ray Swanton (1910-1986) - American football player and coach.
4. Gertrude Abbott Swanton (1905-1972) - British artist and illustrator.
5. Brenda Swanton (born 1959) - Australian politician and former member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.
6. John Swanton (1873-1958) - American anthropologist and linguist, known for his work on Native American cultures.
7. Douglas Swanton (fl. 20th century) - British philosopher and expert on the philosophy of language.
8. T. L. Swanton (Thomas Leaver Swanton, 1920-2000) - British writer and journalist, known for his cricket writing.
9. Leslie Swanton (fl. 20th century) - Australian botanist and academic.
10. Nancy Swanton (1903-1993) - American actress, known for her roles in Broadway productions during the 1920s and 1930s.