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

Swed, 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 Swed surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Swed in America

Swed is the 83541st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Swed surname appeared 225 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 Swed.

We can also compare 2010 data for Swed 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 Swed

The surname SWED is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "swēd" or "swæd," meaning a swathe or a path. The name likely emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period, referring to someone who lived near a pathway or a clearing in the woods.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Suuede" and "Swede." This historical record suggests that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "le Swede," "atte Swede," and "de la Swede," indicating its association with a specific location or a path. These variations suggest that the name could have originated from a place name derived from the Old English word "swēd."

One notable bearer of the surname was John Swede, a prominent English merchant and alderman of London born in the late 13th century. He served as the Sheriff of London in 1327 and played a significant role in the city's governance during that period.

Another individual with this surname was Sir Robert Swede, a knight who lived during the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. He is mentioned in historical records as serving in the king's army and participating in military campaigns against the French.

In the 16th century, the surname SWED was found in various parts of England, particularly in counties like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. One notable figure from this era was William Swede, a wealthy landowner and philanthropist born in 1529 in Norfolk. He is known for his charitable contributions and the establishment of a school in his hometown.

During the 17th century, the surname gained prominence in the town of Swede, located in Somersetshire. This place name likely derived from the Old English word "swēd," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.

Another individual of note was Sir Thomas Swede, a prominent lawyer and judge born in 1612 in Lincolnshire. He served as the Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1670 to 1679 and played a significant role in the legal system during the reign of King Charles II.

While the surname SWED has undergone various spelling variations throughout history, its origins can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, reflecting the significance of pathways and clearings in the landscape during that era.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Swed

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

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

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

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