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

Swe, 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 Swe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Swe in America

Swe is the 72332nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Swe surname appeared 269 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 Swe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Swe 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 Swe

The surname "SWE" is believed to have originated in Sweden, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old Norse word "svía," meaning "to burn" or "to singe," suggesting a possible connection to professions involving fire or heat, such as blacksmithing or charcoal production.

In the early 13th century, records from the Västergötland region of Sweden mention individuals with the name "Svie" or "Svije," which are considered early variations of the modern spelling "SWE." These entries provide some of the earliest documented references to the name.

One notable historical figure bearing the "SWE" surname was Johan Swe, a prominent Swedish merchant and trader who lived in the 16th century (c. 1520-1585). He was known for his successful business ventures and his involvement in the establishment of trading routes between Sweden and other European countries.

Another individual of note was Ingrid Swe (1611-1674), a Swedish noblewoman and landowner. She played a significant role in the management of her family's estates and was recognized for her leadership and business acumen during a time when women rarely held such positions of authority.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in historical records from the Småland region of Sweden, where the Swe family owned a substantial amount of land and had a notable presence in the local community. One member of this family, Erik Swe (1725-1798), was a respected farmer and landowner who contributed to the agricultural development of the area.

Moving into the 19th century, we find mentions of Carl Swe (1810-1892), a Swedish pastor and theologian who made significant contributions to the Lutheran Church. His writings and sermons were widely influential during his lifetime and continue to be studied by scholars of religious history.

Another notable figure from the same era was Anna Swe (1838-1916), a Swedish author and educator. She was a pioneering figure in the field of children's literature and published several books that aimed to educate and entertain young readers while promoting moral values and social responsibility.

These examples illustrate the long and varied history of the surname "SWE," which has been present in Sweden for centuries and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, noblemen, farmers, clergy, and authors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Swe

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

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 Swe 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 Swe 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 Swe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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