Swain
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Swain is a traditional English surname derived ultimately from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn (Sven, Sweyn), meaning a youth, young man. There are a number of variations in the spelling of the surname Swain, including Swaine, Swainne and Swayne.
Swain is also a surname in Orissa India
From this word meaning boy, young male or servant, are derived:
- the noun swain, meaning a rustic lover or boyfriend, cf. the numerous examples in Shakespeare's work, including his lyric, "[w]ho is Sylvia, what is she that all our Swains commend her" (from The Two Gentlemen of Verona)
- there are also specific nautical words involving swain: boatswain (literally "young man in charge of a boat") which can be seen in Shakespeare's The Tempest, and coxswain.
[edit] Notable people named Swain
- Diana Swain, Canadian television journalist
- Dominique Swain, American actress
- Gladys Swain, French psychiatrist and writer
- Louisa Ann Swain, first woman in America to vote in a general election
- Richard Swain, New Zealand rugby league footballer
[edit] Sources
[edit] See also
- Candle swain (known as the kertilsveinar at the Norwegian hird, i.e. royal court)
- Swain County, North Carolina
- Swain School of Design
