Swift
An English occupational surname referring to a swift or quick person, possibly a messenger or courier.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 28,174 Americans carry the last name Swift. That puts it at #1,473 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 8.22 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 12,166 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Swift 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
28K
1 in 12,166
Census rank
#1,473
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
8.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
24K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 24,249 bearers of the surname Swift in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 8.22 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1473rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Swift, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.2%. The next largest groups are Black (15.9%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Swift
The surname Swift is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word "swift" which means "moving quickly". It is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, between the 5th and 11th centuries AD.
The name was initially used as a nickname or descriptive name for someone who was regarded as being particularly swift or agile. It may have been applied to a swift runner or messenger, or someone with a quick mind or movement. Over time, the nickname became hereditary and passed down as a surname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Swift can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Suift". This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a detailed survey of land ownership in England, and it provides valuable insight into the distribution of surnames during that period.
In the 13th century, the name is recorded in various spelling variations, such as Swyft, Swifft, and Swifte. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling rules and the influence of regional dialects.
Notable individuals who bore the surname Swift include the famous English satirist and author Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), best known for his works "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal". Another prominent figure was Sir Josiah Swift (1667-1745), an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
Other historical figures with the surname Swift include:
- Ebenezer Swift (1666-1732), an American-born English bishop and missionary
- Benjamin Swift (1781-1875), an American naval officer during the War of 1812
- John Swift (1630-1679), an English churchman and religious writer
- Thomas Swift (1661-1752), an English clergyman and author
The surname Swift has also been associated with various place names throughout England, including Swift's Green in Suffolk, Swift's Vale in Gloucestershire, and Swift's Brook in Cambridgeshire. These place names likely originated from individuals with the surname Swift who lived or owned land in those areas.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Swift
Among Census respondents with the surname Swift, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.2%. The next largest groups are Black (15.9%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Swift 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 Swift surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White78.2%
- Black or African American15.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races2.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Swift 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 | #1,473 | #1,473 | 0.0% |
| Count | 24,249 | 24,249 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 8.22 | 8.22 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Swift bearers went from 24,249 to 24,249 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,473 to #1,473.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Swift
FAQ
Swift surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Swift?
The surname Swift holds position #1,473 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 28,174 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 8.22 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Swift surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Swift, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.2%. The next largest groups are Black (15.9%) and Hispanic (2.4%). 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.