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![Show Contents]() Sweeley Surname History
- Origins Available:
 England
Sweeley is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Sweeley family lived in Yorkshire, at Swale. Early Origins of the Sweeley familyThe surname Sweeley was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Swale from ancient times. Although the Manor does not appear in the Domesday Book in 1086 the first recorded date is of John Swale who held the Lordship. He married Alice, daughter of Gilbert de Gaunt, and related to John of Gaunt about 1150. At this time he held the manor of West Grenton or Grinton in Swaledale. South Stainley in the West Riding of Yorkshire was an ancient family seat. "This place was the property of Sir Solomon Swale, who suffered severely for his loyalty during the parliamentary war, and was presented with the first baronetcy conferred after the Restoration. Sir Solomon, in those unsettled times, having neglected to sue out a renewal of the lease by which he held some property under the crown, a chancery clerk, noticing the omission, obtained it for himself, and involved the Baronet in a litigation which, in a few years, ended in his becoming a prisoner in the king's bench, where he died of a broken heart. Stainley Hall, the ancient family seat, is now a ruin." 1 Early History of the Sweeley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sweeley research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1603, 1606, 1608 and 1660 are included under the topic Early Sweeley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sweeley Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Sweeley has been recorded under many different variations, including SWales, Swale, Swalles, Swaile, Swailles, Swailes and many more. Early Notables of the Sweeley familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Richard Swale (1545?-1608), English civilian, born in Yorkshire about 1545, son of Thomas Swale of Askham-Richard in Yorkshire. "Swale was knighted by James I at Whitehall on 23 July 1603. On 28 May 1606...
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sweeley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Sweeley familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Sweeleys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Ralph Swaile who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1880; George SWales who settled in St. Christopher in 1635.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Sweeley (post 1700) | + |
- Charles C Sweeley Ph.D., American biochemist
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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