UK surname
Derived from the Old Norse byname "Sveini," meaning a young man, boy, or servant.
In the 1881 census there were 102 people recorded with the Swaney surname, ranking it #19,518 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 64, ranked #34,098, down from #19,518 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kirkwall and St.Ola, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swaney is 295 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 37.3%.
1881 census count
102
Ranked #19,518
Modern count
64
2016, ranked #34,098
Peak year
1861
295 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Swaney surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Swaney surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 237 | #9,152 |
| 1861 | historical | 295 | #8,555 |
| 1881 | historical | 102 | #19,518 |
| 1891 | historical | 176 | #16,404 |
| 1901 | historical | 82 | #25,019 |
| 1911 | historical | 30 | #30,073 |
| 1997 | modern | 58 | #31,831 |
| 1998 | modern | 66 | #31,387 |
| 1999 | modern | 67 | #31,409 |
| 2000 | modern | 63 | #31,829 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 59 | #32,468 |
| 2003 | modern | 58 | #32,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 60 | #33,235 |
| 2007 | modern | 57 | #33,800 |
| 2008 | modern | 60 | #33,743 |
| 2009 | modern | 63 | #33,751 |
| 2010 | modern | 63 | #34,002 |
| 2011 | modern | 68 | #33,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 67 | #33,840 |
| 2013 | modern | 65 | #34,059 |
| 2014 | modern | 63 | #34,212 |
| 2015 | modern | 65 | #34,036 |
| 2016 | modern | 64 | #34,098 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kirkwall and St.Ola, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Manchester and Westray and Papa Westray. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkwall and St.Ola | Orkney |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Westray and Papa Westray | Orkney |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Swaney surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Swaney, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Swaney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Swaney household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Swaney is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Swaney is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Swaney, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SWANEY is of Scottish origin, derived from the Old English word "swan," which refers to the graceful water bird. It is believed to have originated in the regions of Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, where the name was first recorded in the 12th century.
One of the earliest known references to the name SWANEY can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of instruments of homage and fealty to Edward I of England. The name appears as "Swaneye," indicating its connection to the swan.
In the 14th century, the name SWANEY was also recorded in various charters and legal documents in the Scottish lowlands, often spelled as "Swany" or "Swanye." This variation in spelling was common during that time period.
The SWANEY surname is associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was John Swaney, born in 1542 in Lanarkshire. He was a prominent landowner and served as a magistrate in his local community.
Another notable SWANEY was Robert Swaney (1635-1708), a Scottish clergyman and theologian who authored several influential works on Calvinist doctrine. He was born in Renfrewshire and spent much of his life serving as a minister in various parishes throughout Scotland.
In the 18th century, the SWANEY name gained recognition through the accomplishments of Alexander Swaney (1720-1792), a successful merchant and shipowner from Glasgow. He played a significant role in the city's maritime trade and was also a philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes.
The name SWANEY has also been associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Swaneytown and Swaneyhill, both located in Renfrewshire. These locations likely derived their names from the SWANEY surname and its connection to the local area.
During the 19th century, the SWANEY surname spread beyond Scotland as members of the family emigrated to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia. One notable bearer of the name from this period was James Swaney (1822-1901), a Scottish-born engineer who played a crucial role in the construction of various railroads in the United States.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swaney surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 31 Swaneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.26x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | 31 | 23.26x |
| Orkney | 23 | 210.24x |
| Lanarkshire | 15 | 4.66x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.42x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 1.82x |
| Essex | 4 | 2.04x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.40x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 2.72x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.59x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.41x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.19x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.20x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 1 | 6.94x |
| Ross-shire | 1 | 3.66x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.30x |
| West Lothian | 1 | 6.68x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cross Burness N in Orkney leads with 13 Swaneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2280.70x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cross Burness N | 13 | 2280.70x |
| South Leith | 11 | 73.33x |
| Lasswade | 8 | 262.30x |
| North Leith | 8 | 129.66x |
| Stromness | 7 | 853.66x |
| Barony | 6 | 7.37x |
| Govan | 5 | 6.28x |
| Liscard | 4 | 101.01x |
| West Ham | 4 | 9.23x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 3 | 11.15x |
| Brighton | 2 | 5.91x |
| Chelsea London | 2 | 6.67x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 3.50x |
| Lady | 2 | 625.00x |
| New Monkland | 2 | 21.03x |
| Reigate Borough | 2 | 178.57x |
| Salford | 2 | 5.76x |
| Bathgate | 1 | 30.77x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 2.31x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 5.33x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 4.26x |
| Edinburgh Greenside | 1 | 56.82x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 1.87x |
| Edinburgh St Stephens | 1 | 38.17x |
| Firth Stenness | 1 | 212.77x |
| Gillingham | 1 | 14.29x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 6.31x |
| Ilkley | 1 | 62.11x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.39x |
| Milwich | 1 | 526.32x |
| Oldham | 1 | 2.62x |
| Stornoway | 1 | 28.09x |
| Thornaby | 1 | 27.17x |
| Urr | 1 | 53.48x |
| West Calder | 1 | 38.02x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Swaney surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Swaney surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Swaney households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clicker (Shoe) | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Dom Housemaid | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farmer Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Flax Spinner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| N O | 1 |
| Private Income | 1 |
| Purser (Seaman Ship) | 1 |
| Rivett Boy (E&M) | 1 |
| Serv | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 102 people were recorded with the Swaney surname. That placed it at #19,518 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 64 in 2016. That gives Swaney a modern rank of #34,098.
Derived from the Old Norse byname "Sveini," meaning a young man, boy, or servant.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Swaney bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.