Swayze
A surname of English origin meaning "swayer" and possibly referring to a horse trainer or dancer.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,228 Americans carry the last name Swayze. That puts it at #15,347 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.65 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 153,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Swayze surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
2.2K
1 in 153,839
Census rank
#15,347
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,911 bearers of the surname Swayze in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.65 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 15347th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Swayze, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.8%. The next largest groups are Black (4.5%) and Two or More Races (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Swayze
The surname Swayze has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "swā," meaning "so" or "as," combined with the word "hwæs," meaning "whose." The name likely referred to a person who frequently used the phrase "so whose" in conversation or writing.
One of the earliest known records of the name Swayze appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like document compiled in 1273. The name is listed as "Sweyn Swas," which is believed to be an early spelling variation of Swayze.
In the 14th century, the name Swayze surfaced in various manorial records and court rolls across England. One notable example is the mention of a John Swayze in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1348.
During the medieval period, the Swayze family appears to have been concentrated primarily in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. However, by the 16th century, the name had spread to other parts of England, including London and the surrounding areas.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Swayze was William Swayze, born in 1587 in Croydon, Surrey. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region.
Another notable figure was Samuel Swayze, born in 1635 in Hertfordshire. He was a Puritan minister who emigrated to New England in the 1660s and played a significant role in the establishment of the town of Newark, New Jersey.
In the 18th century, the Swayze family continued to make their mark. John Swayze (1717-1792), a successful merchant and landowner in New Jersey, was a prominent figure in the American Revolutionary War and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname Swayze was Patrick Swayze (1952-2009), the American actor known for his roles in films such as "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost," and "Road House." He was born in Houston, Texas, and had a successful career in film, television, and theater.
Throughout history, the Swayze name has also been associated with various place names, such as Swayze Creek in Georgia and Swayze Mountain in New Mexico, further reflecting the family's widespread presence and influence across different regions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Swayze
Among Census respondents with the surname Swayze, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.8%. The next largest groups are Black (4.5%) and Two or More Races (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Swayze bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Swayze surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.8%
- Black or African American4.5%
- Two or more races1.9%
- Hispanic or Latino1.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Swayze surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #15,347 | #15,347 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,911 | 1,911 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Swayze bearers went from 1,911 to 1,911 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #15,347 to #15,347.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Swayze
FAQ
Swayze surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Swayze?
The surname Swayze holds position #15,347 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,228 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.65 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Swayze surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Swayze, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.8%. The next largest groups are Black (4.5%) and Two or More Races (1.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.