Swythlan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Swythlan first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in the area that was referred to as Sweetland found in the county of Devon. The surname Swythlan 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 Swythlan family

The surname Swythlan was first found in Devon where from ancient times they held Sweetland's Farm, a name which would later become a surname and a place name in Devon. 1

Another source presumes that the name could have been from Swithland, a parish, in the union of Barrow-upon-Soar, hundred of West Goscote,in Leicestershire. 2

Early History of the Swythlan family

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

Swythlan Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Swythlan has appeared include Sweetland, Swithland and others.

Early Notables of the Swythlan family

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

Migration of the Swythlan family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Swythlan arrived in North America very early: 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; William in English Harbour in 1790.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.