Swafford Surname

The Origins of the Swafford Surname

The surname Swafford is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English personal name Swaefheard. The name is composed of the elements "swaef," meaning beloved or dear, and "heard," meaning brave or strong. Therefore, Swafford can be translated to mean "beloved and strong," reflecting the qualities that early bearers of the name may have possessed.

Migration and Distribution

The Swafford surname has a relatively low incidence in most countries, with the United States having the highest number of individuals bearing the name. According to data, there are 12,383 individuals with the surname Swafford in the United States. This suggests that the name is most prevalent in the US, indicating a strong presence and likely a longer history of migration and settlement in the country.

Outside of the US, the Swafford surname is less common, with New Zealand, Germany, and Australia having small numbers of individuals with the name. Other countries such as England, the Philippines, and Canada also have a few individuals with the Swafford surname, indicating a dispersed but global presence of the name.

Variant Spellings and Dialectical Changes

Like many surnames, the spelling of Swafford has evolved over time due to various factors such as dialectical changes, regional accents, and transcription errors. Some variant spellings of the surname include Swafford, Swafford, Swaffort, and Swaffer, among others.

These variant spellings can be attributed to the phonetic nature of the name, as well as the way it may have been pronounced in different regions or by different individuals. Additionally, the spelling of surnames was not standardized until relatively recently, leading to multiple spellings of the same name.

Famous Individuals with the Swafford Surname

Despite its relative rarity, there have been notable individuals with the Swafford surname who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. One such individual is John Swafford, an American sports executive who served as the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.

John Swafford played a key role in shaping the landscape of college athletics in the United States and was instrumental in the growth and success of the SEC during his tenure. His leadership and strategic vision have left a lasting impact on the world of sports administration.

Another notable individual with the Swafford surname is Jennifer Swafford, a renowned artist known for her abstract paintings that have been exhibited in galleries around the world. Her unique style and creative vision have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal following of art enthusiasts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Swafford surname is a unique and culturally significant name with roots in Anglo-Saxon history. Despite its low incidence in many countries, the name has left a mark on various fields and has been carried by individuals who have made notable contributions to society.

The surname Swafford into the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it can be done to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Similar takes place in the case of Swafford, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it's a surname that may be found in the majority of the countries of the globe. In the same manner you can find nations in which certainly the thickness of individuals with all the surname Swafford is more than in other countries.

The map of the Swafford surname

1. United States (12383)
2. New Zealand (45)
3. Germany (8)
4. Australia (7)
5. England (4)
6. Philippines (4)
7. Canada (3)
8. Scotland (2)
9. Japan (2)
10. Bahrain (1)
11. Bahamas (1)
12. China (1)
13. Costa Rica (1)
14. Spain (1)
15. Finland (1)
16. France (1)
17. Italy (1)
18. Jamaica (1)
19. South Korea (1)
20. Kuwait (1)
21. Puerto Rico (1)
22. Russia (1)