Swain
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{{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]]
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