Find out how popular the last name Sawey is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Sawey.

Sawey, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Sawey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sawey in America

Sawey is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sawey surname appeared 142 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Sawey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sawey to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Sawey

The surname Sawey is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated as a place name, derived from the Old English words "sæl" meaning "sallow tree" and "ieg" meaning "island." This suggests that the name may have been associated with a small island or settlement where willow trees grew abundantly.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sawey can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, where it appears as "Saleye." This document, which recorded financial transactions and tax records, provides valuable insight into the name's historical presence.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "Salewey" and "Salwey," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time. It is also mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1275, where it is listed as "Saleweye."

The Sawey surname is believed to have been particularly prevalent in the counties of Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire, where several notable individuals bearing this name have been recorded throughout history.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Sawey name was Sir John Sawey, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. He is mentioned in the Patent Rolls of 1348, which document his involvement in legal proceedings related to property disputes.

In the 15th century, Thomas Sawey (c. 1420-1490) was a respected scholar and churchman who served as the Archdeacon of Stafford. His contributions to the local community and religious life are well-documented in historical records.

The 16th century saw the emergence of William Sawey (c. 1530-1594), a renowned architect and builder who was responsible for the construction of several notable buildings in the region, including the Sawey Manor House in Staffordshire, which still stands today.

In the 17th century, Elizabeth Sawey (1625-1692) gained recognition as a skilled herbalist and midwife, whose expertise in traditional medicine was highly valued in her community.

The 18th century witnessed the rise of Samuel Sawey (1730-1812), a successful merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of local infrastructure and supported various charitable causes in his hometown.

Throughout its history, the Sawey surname has maintained a strong presence in various parts of England, particularly in the Midlands region. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name continues to be carried by individuals of English descent, reflecting the rich tapestry of the country's cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sawey

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Sawey.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Sawey was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Sawey has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Sawey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sawey, please contact us.

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