Swain (surname)

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Swain is an English surname derived from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn (Sven, Sweyn), from an Old Norse word meaning a youth or young man, and hence a young male attendant or servant (compare in meaning Old English 'cniht' = knight; German 'Knecht'). 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 American Old West outlaw John Wesley Hardin used various aliases with Swain as the surname.

People with the name include:

See also

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