Swithland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Swithland

The present generation of the Swithland family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the area that was referred to as Sweetland found in the county of Devon. The surname Swithland 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 Swithland family

Early History of the Swithland family

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

Swithland Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Swithland include Sweetland, Swithland and others.

Early Notables of the Swithland family

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

Migration of the Swithland family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Swithland were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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.