Swetlan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Swetlan

The origins of the Swetlan name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in the area that was referred to as Sweetland found in the county of Devon. The surname Swetlan is a habitation name that was originally derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The surname originated as a means of identifying individuals from a particular area. In the Middle Ages people often assumed the name of the place that they originally lived as their surname during the course of travel. As a general rule, the greater the distance between an individual and their homeland, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, a person who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came.

Early Origins of the Swetlan family

Early History of the Swetlan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Swetlan research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Swetlan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Swetlan Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Swetlan were recorded, including Sweetland, Swithland and others.

Early Notables of the Swetlan family

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

Migration of the Swetlan family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Swetlan family emigrate to North America: H.B. Sweetland and his wife Mrs. J. Sweetland arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1852. In Newfoundland, Henry Sweetland settled in St. John's in 1787.