Origin of the surname Swift

This most interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and originated as a nickname for someone who was a swift, fast runner, from the Olde English pre 7th Century word "swift", fleet. It is a rather unique name as it has retained its original spelling for over one thousand years. The name is also found in Ireland, where it is a pseudo-translation of the Gaelic name "O'Fuada", composed of the Gaelic prefix "O", male descendant of, and a personal name derived from "fuadach", plundering, and probably so translated because of the rapidity of action involved.

This was a Co. Mayo name which also gave rise to the surnames Speed and Rush in Ireland. The surname was first recorded in England in the mid 12th Century (see below) and the personal name "Suift" appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1166. Nicholaus filius Swift was mentioned in 1222 in the Curia Rolls of Suffolk, and Matilda Swyft was listed in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273. One of the most notable namebearers was Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745), grandson of Thomas Swift, the royalist vicar of Goodrich. He was dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin and a famous satirist, who wrote "Gulliver's Travels", and was granted a Coat of Arms depicting, per pale gold and green, on a chevron between three bucks in full course, as many pheons, points down all counterchanged. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Swift, which was dated 1167, in the "Pipe Rolls of Hampshire", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Swift. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of swift is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname swift is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of swift.

The surname Swift around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname swift. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname swift provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Swift

The historical chronicle of swift is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname swift, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of swift developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname swift.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname swift, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about swift and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Swift

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished swifts throughout human history. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname swift were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname swift, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname swift who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Swift and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of swift. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of swift are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of swift.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of swift, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Swift