Sweetin
An anglicized surname derived from the German Süßen, meaning someone from the town of that name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Sweetin. That puts it at #65,244 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sweetin 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
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#65,244
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
304
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 304 bearers of the surname Sweetin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 65244th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Sweetin, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.9%) and Two or More Races (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Sweetin
The surname Sweetin is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the place name "Sweeting" or "Sweetingham," which were small villages or hamlets located in various parts of England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from the year 1195, where it appears as "Sweting." This suggests that the name was already in use during the late 12th century, likely referring to someone who hailed from one of the Sweeting or Sweetingham settlements.
The name may have its roots in the Old English word "swete," meaning "sweet" or "pleasant," possibly describing the nature of the land or terrain in the areas where the name originated. It could also be related to the Old English word "sweting," which referred to a small or insignificant settlement.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Swetingham" and "Swetyngham," reflecting the evolution of the spelling over time. During this period, the name was also found in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, indicating its presence in that region of England.
One notable figure bearing the Sweetin surname was William Sweetin, born in 1587 in Oxfordshire, England. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, leaving behind a substantial estate upon his death in 1654.
Another individual of note was John Sweetin, born in 1632 in Gloucestershire. He served as a member of the British Parliament and was known for his involvement in local politics during the latter half of the 17th century.
In the 18th century, the Sweetin name continued to appear in various records, including parish registers and legal documents. One such example is Thomas Sweetin, born in 1718 in Yorkshire, who became a renowned clockmaker and watchmaker, contributing to the development of timekeeping technology during that era.
Sarah Sweetin, born in 1765 in Wiltshire, was a notable figure in the early 19th century. She was a prominent philanthropist and advocated for the education of underprivileged children, establishing several schools in her local community.
Another individual of significance was Richard Sweetin, born in 1824 in Cheshire. He was a renowned architect and played a crucial role in the design and construction of several iconic buildings in major cities across England during the Victorian era.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Sweetin
Among Census respondents with the surname Sweetin, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.9%) and Two or More Races (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Sweetin 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 Sweetin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.5%
- Hispanic or Latino4.9%
- Two or more races2.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Sweetin 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 | #65,244 | #65,244 | 0.0% |
| Count | 304 | 304 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Sweetin bearers went from 304 to 304 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #65,244 to #65,244.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Sweetin
FAQ
Sweetin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Sweetin?
The surname Sweetin holds position #65,244 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Sweetin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Sweetin, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.9%) and Two or More Races (2.3%). 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.