NameCensus.

UK surname

Swan

Derived from the bird, likely referring to a person's appearance, grace, or a location associated with swans.

In the 1881 census there were 7,809 people recorded with the Swan surname, ranking it #537 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8,699, ranked #756, down from #537 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harthill and Salsburgh, Berwickshire East and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swan is 8,809 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.4%.

1881 census count

7,809

Ranked #537

Modern count

8,699

2016, ranked #756

Peak year

2010

8,809 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Swan had 7,809 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #537 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 8,699 in 2016, ranked #756.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8,766 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Swan surname distribution map

The map shows where the Swan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Swan surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Swan over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 5,766 #483
1861 historical 5,512 #501
1881 historical 7,809 #537
1891 historical 7,983 #552
1901 historical 8,766 #599
1911 historical 5,999 #862
1997 modern 8,413 #759
1998 modern 8,710 #759
1999 modern 8,778 #756
2000 modern 8,743 #757
2001 modern 8,494 #761
2002 modern 8,622 #764
2003 modern 8,474 #762
2004 modern 8,412 #765
2005 modern 8,315 #763
2006 modern 8,343 #763
2007 modern 8,417 #762
2008 modern 8,508 #759
2009 modern 8,675 #766
2010 modern 8,809 #768
2011 modern 8,672 #769
2012 modern 8,540 #767
2013 modern 8,709 #762
2014 modern 8,783 #763
2015 modern 8,705 #761
2016 modern 8,699 #756

Geography

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Where Swans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Gateshead and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Harthill and Salsburgh, Berwickshire East, Northumberland, Tweeddale West Area and Jedburgh. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Harthill and Salsburgh North Lanarkshire
2 Berwickshire East Scottish Borders
3 Northumberland 003 Northumberland
4 Tweeddale West Area Scottish Borders
5 Jedburgh Scottish Borders

Forenames

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First names often paired with Swan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Swan surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Swan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Swan, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Swan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Swan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Swan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Swan is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Swan falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Swan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Swan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Swan

The surname Swan has its origins in England, with records of the name dating back to the 12th century. It is an occupational name, derived from the Old English word 'swan', referring to someone who was a keeper or breeder of swans. In medieval times, swans were highly prized birds, and ownership was often restricted to the nobility and royalty.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the Swan surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1182, which mentions a Roger Swan. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also include references to individuals with the Swan surname, such as Willelmus le Swan and Johannes le Swan.

The Swan name appears in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. It is likely that the name originated in these regions, where swan-keeping was a common occupation. Some early records suggest that the name may have also been derived from place names like Swanton in Norfolk or Swanscombe in Kent.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the Swan surname was John Swan (c. 1310 - c. 1380), a Franciscan friar and theologian from Lincolnshire. He was an influential scholar and author, known for his work on the theology of the Immaculate Conception.

Another prominent individual with the Swan surname was Sir William Swan (c. 1545 - 1616), an English merchant and Member of Parliament for Southwark. He was involved in the establishment of the East India Company and served as its governor from 1607 to 1609.

In the literary world, John Swan (1753 - 1821) was an English poet and playwright from Derbyshire. He is best known for his satirical works, including the play "The Worshippers" and the poem "The Village Curate."

The Swan surname has also been associated with notable figures in the arts and sciences. Caleb Swan (1758 - 1809) was an American engraver and painter, renowned for his portraits and historical scenes. Joseph Swan (1828 - 1914), a chemist and physicist from Sunderland, England, is credited with inventing the first practical incandescent light bulb before Thomas Edison.

Throughout history, the Swan surname has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, reflecting its occupational origins and widespread distribution across England. While the name may have evolved over time, its connection to the graceful and revered swan has endured, contributing to its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Swan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 710 Swans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.90x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 710 2.90x
Middlesex 661 0.87x
Kent 565 2.19x
Lancashire 499 0.56x
Northumberland 470 4.17x
Durham 465 2.07x
Midlothian 394 3.89x
Essex 364 2.44x
Surrey 293 0.79x
Fife 279 6.23x
Yorkshire 218 0.29x
Renfrewshire 207 3.53x
Angus 200 2.85x
Suffolk 184 2.00x
Northamptonshire 173 2.43x
Staffordshire 142 0.56x
Derbyshire 131 1.11x
Warwickshire 125 0.66x
Sussex 118 0.92x
Dumfriesshire 113 6.76x
Leicestershire 104 1.24x
Cambridgeshire 99 2.07x
Cheshire 95 0.57x
Stirlingshire 93 3.33x
Hampshire 82 0.53x
Norfolk 80 0.69x
Perthshire 65 1.91x
East Lothian 62 6.19x
Hertfordshire 53 1.02x
West Lothian 50 4.39x
Cumberland 49 0.75x
Berwickshire 44 4.80x
Roxburghshire 41 2.99x
Lincolnshire 36 0.30x
Peeblesshire 36 10.11x
Ayrshire 32 0.57x
Dunbartonshire 32 1.57x
Kirkcudbrightshire 32 2.92x
Cornwall 29 0.34x
Nottinghamshire 28 0.27x
Clackmannanshire 25 4.00x
Somerset 23 0.19x
Argyllshire 22 1.04x
Gloucestershire 21 0.14x
Worcestershire 18 0.18x
Bedfordshire 17 0.43x
Berkshire 14 0.25x
Rutland 14 2.52x
Wiltshire 14 0.21x
Aberdeenshire 12 0.17x
Glamorgan 12 0.09x
Inverness-shire 12 0.53x
Buteshire 11 2.40x
Shropshire 9 0.14x
Kincardineshire 8 0.87x
Wigtownshire 8 0.80x
Devon 7 0.04x
Royal Navy 7 0.78x
Dorset 6 0.12x
Caernarfonshire 5 0.16x
Monmouthshire 5 0.09x
Channel Islands 4 0.18x
Denbighshire 4 0.14x
Flintshire 4 0.20x
Morayshire 4 0.34x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.07x
Isle of Man 3 0.21x
Orkney 2 0.24x
Oxfordshire 2 0.04x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.08x
Selkirkshire 2 0.29x
Caithness 1 0.10x
Merionethshire 1 0.07x
Sutherland 1 0.17x
Westmorland 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 183 Swans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.49x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 183 4.49x
Govan 151 2.49x
Barony 134 2.16x
Dundee 109 4.17x
Islington London 108 1.47x
Glasgow 97 2.23x
New Monkland 85 11.75x
Bishopwearmouth 78 4.04x
Gateshead 66 3.92x
West Greenock 62 5.89x
Wimbish 54 245.01x
Chatham 53 7.46x
Manchester 53 1.31x
Lambeth 50 0.76x
Maryhill 50 10.44x
Radwinter 49 224.15x
Camberwell 42 0.87x
Lowestoft 40 9.19x
Wallsend 40 11.20x
Bothwell 38 5.73x
Kensington London 38 0.90x
Dunfermline 37 5.37x
Monkwearmouth Shore 37 8.42x
Portsea 37 1.22x
Bathgate 35 14.15x
Falkirk 35 5.36x
Poplar London 35 2.45x
Tynemouth 34 5.64x
South Leith 33 2.89x
Battersea 32 1.15x
Hackney London 32 0.75x
Tranent 32 23.63x
Cornhill 31 182.68x
Farnham 31 10.81x
Gillingham 31 5.82x
Westgate 31 4.45x
Monkwearmouth 30 13.92x
Sudborough 30 406.50x
Kenilworth 29 26.96x
Aston 28 0.53x
Faversham 28 11.37x
Brighton 27 1.05x
Glossop Dale 27 4.87x
Loughborough 27 7.09x
Slamannan 27 17.67x
Everton 26 0.91x
Hadstock 26 225.11x
Liverpool 26 0.48x
St George Hanover 26 2.63x
Ashton Under Lyne 25 1.27x
Bradden 25 741.84x
Hammersmith London 25 1.34x
Birmingham 24 0.38x
Great Yarmouth 24 2.49x
Kirkdale 24 1.59x
Saffron Walden 24 15.21x
West Ham 24 0.73x
Abbotshall 23 13.74x
Alloa 23 7.59x
Bromley London 23 1.38x
Dunse 23 26.47x
Lowick 23 225.27x
Newcastle On Tyne St 23 3.94x
Treales Roseacre 23 158.51x
Westoe 23 1.80x
Barrow 22 93.34x
Bedlington 22 5.85x
Bethnal Green London 22 0.67x
Falkland 22 31.23x
Jesmond 22 13.89x
Leyland 22 14.08x
Preston 22 0.92x
St Marylebone London 22 0.54x
Harborne 21 2.57x
Kirkmahoe 21 64.75x
Littlehampton 21 20.62x
Westminster St John 21 2.28x
Arbroath 20 8.61x
Huddersfield 20 1.83x
Lewisham 20 1.45x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Swan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 325
Sarah 185
Elizabeth 176
Jane 127
Ann 89
Ellen 88
Alice 82
Eliza 82
Margaret 79
Emma 77
Emily 50
Isabella 50
Hannah 49
Annie 46
Ada 40
Martha 40
Maria 37
Edith 36
Agnes 32
Caroline 30
Florence 30
Clara 28
Harriet 28
Amelia 25
Lucy 25
Charlotte 24
Catherine 22
Eleanor 22
Louisa 22
Elizth. 20
Minnie 19
Jessie 18
Kate 18
Fanny 17
Harriett 17
Rebecca 17
Esther 16
Frances 15
Rose 15
Julia 14
Amy 13
Anne 13
Lydia 13
Susan 13
Susannah 13
Gertrude 12
Rachel 12
Sophia 12
Ethel 10
Ruth 10

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Swan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 330
John 303
George 187
James 179
Thomas 153
Charles 111
Joseph 90
Robert 84
Henry 82
Edward 60
Alfred 54
Richard 50
Arthur 49
Frederick 40
Samuel 38
Walter 35
Harry 29
Albert 27
Frank 23
David 21
Benjamin 20
Andrew 19
Herbert 19
Alexander 18
Francis 18
Ernest 17
Stephen 17
Fredrick 15
Nicholas 15
Daniel 14
Edwin 14
Geo. 12
Fred 11
Peter 10
Robt. 10
Thos. 10
Michael 8
Sidney 8
Abraham 7
Harold 7
Philip 7
Ralph 7
Wm. 7
Edmund 6
Josiah 6
Mark 6
Archibald 5
Isaac 5
Percy 5
Tom 5

FAQ

Swan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Swan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7,809 people were recorded with the Swan surname. That placed it at #537 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Swan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 8,699 in 2016. That gives Swan a modern rank of #756.

What does the Swan surname mean?

Derived from the bird, likely referring to a person's appearance, grace, or a location associated with swans.

What does the Swan map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Swan bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.