NameCensus.

UK surname

Swart

A Dutch and Afrikaans surname meaning "black" or "swarthy," likely referring to someone with a dark complexion or hair.

In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Swart surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 311, ranked #14,376, up from #28,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Christ Church Spitalfields, Beath and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Warrington and Chiltern.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swart is 311 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 763.9%.

1881 census count

36

Ranked #28,559

Modern count

311

2016, ranked #14,376

Peak year

2016

311 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Swart had 36 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 311 in 2016, ranked #14,376.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 144 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Swart surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Swart surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Swart 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 46 #24,985
1861 historical 82 #23,321
1881 historical 36 #28,559
1891 historical 119 #21,415
1901 historical 144 #18,505
1911 historical 105 #22,064
1997 modern 89 #28,490
1998 modern 109 #26,273
1999 modern 121 #24,855
2000 modern 144 #22,357
2001 modern 150 #21,482
2002 modern 159 #21,086
2003 modern 163 #20,554
2004 modern 213 #17,492
2005 modern 236 #16,286
2006 modern 243 #16,052
2007 modern 238 #16,505
2008 modern 256 #15,817
2009 modern 281 #15,098
2010 modern 307 #14,485
2011 modern 262 #16,098
2012 modern 289 #14,875
2013 modern 293 #14,998
2014 modern 301 #14,809
2015 modern 306 #14,536
2016 modern 311 #14,376

Geography

Back to top

Where Swarts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Christ Church Spitalfields, Beath, London parishes, Toxteth Park and Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Warrington, Chiltern, Haringey and Merton. 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 Christ Church Spitalfields London (East Districts)
2 Beath Fife
3 London parishes London 3
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 028 Leeds
2 Warrington 010 Warrington
3 Chiltern 001 Chiltern
4 Haringey 027 Haringey
5 Merton 006 Merton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Swart

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Swart

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Swart, 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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Swart surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Swart household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Swart is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Swart is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Swart falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Swart is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Swart

The surname Swart has its origins in the Low Countries, which today comprises the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It dates back to the 13th century and is derived from the Middle Dutch word "swart," meaning black or dark-colored. The name likely referred to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.

In the early days, surnames were often descriptive and based on physical characteristics, occupations, or places of origin. The name Swart falls into the category of descriptive surnames, denoting a person's appearance or distinguishing feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Swart can be found in the Dordrecht archives, dating back to 1279. The entry mentions a person named "Gerardus dicto Swart," which translates to "Gerard called Swart."

The name Swart was also mentioned in the Registers of the Leprosy House in Haarlem, Netherlands, in the 14th century. This document recorded the names of individuals who were admitted to the leprosy house, suggesting that the surname was in use during that time period.

In the 15th century, a notable figure bearing the name Swart was Jan Swart, a Dutch Renaissance painter born around 1490 in Groningen, Netherlands. He was known for his religious paintings and portraits, and his works can be found in various museums across Europe.

Another prominent individual with the surname Swart was David Swart, a Dutch explorer and navigator who lived in the 16th century. He was one of the first Europeans to explore and map parts of the Caribbean and the northern coast of South America.

Moving forward to the 17th century, Salomon Swart, a Dutch Golden Age painter born in 1591 in Groningen, Netherlands, gained recognition for his still-life paintings and landscapes. His works are housed in various art collections around the world.

In the 18th century, Theodoor Swart Theodoor Swart Rivière, a Dutch jurist and politician, played a significant role in the establishment of the Batavian Republic, a short-lived Dutch republic that existed from 1795 to 1806.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Swart was Dirk Swart, a South African rugby union player who represented the South African national team in the early 20th century, playing in several test matches between 1906 and 1910.

While the name Swart has Dutch origins, it has since spread to other countries and regions due to migration and diaspora. Today, the surname can be found in various parts of the world, with variations in spelling and pronunciation depending on the local language and cultural influences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Swart families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swart 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. Middlesex leads with 21 Swarts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.98x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 21 5.98x
Lancashire 8 1.92x
Staffordshire 2 1.69x
Surrey 2 1.17x
Yorkshire 2 0.57x
Dorset 1 4.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 10 Swarts recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.38x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 10 29.38x
Spitalfields London 7 265.15x
Accrington 4 105.54x
Newchurch 3 87.98x
Bilston 2 86.96x
Camberwell 2 8.92x
Mile End Old Town 2 36.10x
Wadsworth 2 350.88x
Hampstead London 1 18.28x
Portland 1 80.65x
Toxteth Park 1 7.09x
Willesden 1 30.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Annie 1
Bacca 1
Elizeth. 1
Emily 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Leah 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Mary 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Moses 2
Aron 1
Arthur 1
Edwd 1
Fred 1
G.S. 1
Gabriel 1
Geo 1
Hugh 1
Jack 1
Mike 1
Sidney 1
Thomas 1
William 1
Wm 1

Top occupations

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 Swart households.

FAQ

Swart surname: questions and answers

How common was the Swart surname in 1881?

In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Swart surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Swart surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 311 in 2016. That gives Swart a modern rank of #14,376.

What does the Swart surname mean?

A Dutch and Afrikaans surname meaning "black" or "swarthy," likely referring to someone with a dark complexion or hair.

What does the Swart map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Swart 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.