Surname Van Swearing - Meaning and Origin
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Van Swearing: What does the surname Van Swearing mean?
The last name Van Swearingen is of Dutch origin, and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Dutch word “swar”, meaning “fresh” or “new”, and has been passed down in various forms, such as Von Sweringen.
The Van Swearingen surname likely originated when a family moved from their homeland to a new location, such as another city or another country. This family likely adopted the new name to reflect the fresh start they were taking in their new home. The Van Swearingen surname could also indicate that one of the family members had an affinity for swearing or uttering profanity.
The family name likely signifies the determination and ambition of the Van Swearingen family to make a new life for themselves in a new location. This name has been passed down for generations in Europe and in the United States, suggesting great determination, strength, and loyalty to their family, culture, and country.
This name is also symbolic of pioneering spirit, as the Van Swearingen family ventured to a new land with the courage and perseverance to begin anew.
Order DNA origin analysisVan Swearing: Where does the name Van Swearing come from?
The last name Van Swearingen is most common today in the Netherlands and parts of the United States. The name is originally of Dutch origin and was derived from the phrase ‘van zweringen,’ which translates as ‘from the swords.’ This likely refers to the family’s time as armorers, as ‘sweringen’ is an old Dutch term for bladesmiths.
The Van Swearingen name first spread in the Netherlands, where a number of wealthy families held the name. This included the prominent 14th century lords of Breda, "van Sweringen" lords. Eventually, families with the Van Sweringen surname immigrated to the United States, primarily in the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In the US, some of the Van Swearingen families are German-speaking Lutherans, many of whom came from the Siegerland area of Germany in the 18th century. This group evidenced particular strong ties to Pennsylvania, settling in Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties and adopting English surnames, such as Van Swearingen. Descendants of this group of Van Sweringens spread throughout the US, mostly to Wisconsin, Utah, Michigan, Connecticut, California, and the Dakotas.
Today, though the Van Swearingen name remains quite rare, its history and origins can still be found in the numerous places around the world where those that carry the name make their home.
Variations of the surname Van Swearing
The surname Van Swearing, also referred to as Van Swearengen, is a topographic name for a person who lived near or at a ford where people would swear an oath. The term is derived from the Dutch words "swaeren" or "zweren" meaning "to swear" and "gen" meaning "at". The spelling variations of Van Swearing can include: Van Sweringen, Van Swarengen, Van Swerngen, Van Sweerincken, Van Swering, Van Swarring, Van Swearingen, and Van Sweering.
The variants of the surname can be traced to the Netherlands, Germany, and Hungary. The name also had one of its origins in the Middle-Eastern Dutch province of Flanders, now part of Belgium and the Netherlands. In was used a patronymic surnames, especially in Flanders and Dutch-speaking areas.
The given name "Van Swearing" can modulate according to the native dialect. For instance, variants including "Van Sweering" are found in the Netherlands and Belgium. In Hungary, the name is typically written as "Van Swerngen". In Germany, the name may be seen as "Sweringe" or "Sweringer". In South Africa, the surname is commonly seen as "Van Swering".
Further variants of this surname, many of which are similar to the original Dutch surname, either have been introduced or had been adapted to more local variations. A variety of such name variations are, Sweringen, Swerings, Swerngen, Swering, Sweering, Sweerincken, Sweringer, Swearengen, Van Swearing, amongst many others.
Famous people with the name Van Swearing
- Willem van Swearingen: Willem is an American guitarist best known for his work as a studio musician for high profile musicians, including Dolly Parton, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and many others.
- Kees van Swearingen: Kees is a Dutch jazz musician, composer, and producer who has worked with several notable artists, including Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, and Joss Stone.
- Jelena van Swearingen: Jelena is an award-winning Dutch poet, whose works have been translated into several languages.
- Maud van Swearingen: Maud is an actress and singer from the Netherlands, most well-known for starring in the Dutch TV series ‘De Club van Twee’.
- Dirk van Swearingen: Dirk is a Dutch sculptor who has been a part of several prestigious art exhibitions, both in the Netherlands and abroad.
- Marie van Swearingen: Marie is a Belgian biomedical scientist, involved in advances in stem cell research, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine.
- Frank van Swearingen: Frank is a German musician and composer who has been a part of several well-known bands, including The Cranberries and Oasis.
- Hakim van Swearingen: Hakim is a Dutch-born musician based in the United States, best known for his contributions to the emerging electronic and world music scenes.
- Marielle van Swearingen: Marielle is a Dutch cellist and singer, performing regularly in Europe and the United States.
- Angélique van Swearingen: Angélique is a Dutch visual artist, specializing in photography and installation art, combining elements of nature and the human form.