Swain 2599087 223046035 2008-07-02T09:44:16Z Firien 176118 rm nn {{wiktionarypar|swain}} '''Swain''' is a traditional [[English people|English]] [[surname]] derived ultimately from the [[Old Norse]] [[personal name]] ''Sveinn'' ([[Sven]], Sweyn), meaning a [[youth]], [[boy|young man]]. There are a number of variations in the spelling of the surname Swain, including Swaine, Swainne and Swayne. Swain is also a surname in Orissa India From this word meaning boy, young male or servant, are derived: *the noun [[swain]], meaning a [[rustic]] [[lover]] or [[boyfriend]], cf. the numerous examples in [[Shakespeare]]'s work, including his lyric, "''[w]ho is Sylvia, what is she that all our Swains commend her''" (from ''[[The Two Gentlemen of Verona]]'') * there are also specific nautical words involving swain: [[boatswain]] (literally "young man in charge of a boat") which can be seen in Shakespeare's [[The Tempest]], and [[coxswain]]. == Notable people named Swain== * [[Brennan Swain]], American television star and winner of [[The Amazing Race]] * [[Diana Swain]], Canadian television journalist * [[Dominique Swain]], American actress * [[Gladys Swain]], French psychiatrist and writer * [[Louisa Ann Swain]], first woman in America to vote in a general election * [[Richard Swain]], New Zealand [[rugby league]] footballer == Sources == * [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=swain&searchmode=none| Etymology on-line] == See also == * [[Candle swain]] (known as the ''kertilsveinar'' at the Norwegian ''hird'', i.e. royal court) * [[Swain County, North Carolina]] * [[Swain School of Design]] * [[Category:Surnames]] [[de:Swain]] [[fr:Swain]]