Show ContentsSwanepoel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished Dutch surname Swanepoel is derived from "Swanepoel," the name of a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is likely that the first bearer of this name was a resident of this village.

Early Origins of the Swanepoel family

The surname Swanepoel was first found in Holland, where the name originated. During the Middle Ages, it was a common practice to refer to a new resident of a village by the name of his hometown; thus, it is possible that the progenitor of the name was a native of the town of Swanepoel who had settled in another region.

Early History of the Swanepoel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Swanepoel research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1654, 1707 and 1712 are included under the topic Early Swanepoel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Swanepoel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Swanepoel, Swanpool, Swaen, Swaenpoel and others.

Early Notables of the Swanepoel family

More information is included under the topic Early Swanepoel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Swanepoel Ranking

In South Africa, the name Swanepoel is the 117th most popular surname with an estimated 47,201 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Swanepoel family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jan Swaen, who arrived in New Netherlands in 1663; as well as Juliana Swaenepoel, who arrived in America from Belgium, through Ellis Island in 1920.


Contemporary Notables of the name Swanepoel (post 1700) +

  • Stefan J M Swanepoel (b. 1958), American best-selling author, motivational speaker and International Entrepreneur
  • Stephan Jacobus Swanepoel (b. 1981), Namibian cricketer
  • Pieter Johannes Swanepoel (b. 1977), South African first-class cricketer
  • Landi Swanepoel (b. 1979), South African model
  • Corney Swanepoel (b. 1986), South African-born, New Zealand bronze medalist butterfly swimmer at the 2008 Short Course Worlds
  • Chris Swanepoel (b. 1984), South African professional golfer
  • Candice Swanepoel (b. 1988), South African model


  1. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames


Houseofnames.com on Facebook