Swan
A surname that can come from the bird, a sign-name, or an old nickname/personal name meaning “swan.”
The #1,564 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 13,423 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname has several plausible roots. In English and Scandinavian records it can be a nickname or sign-name referring to the swan, and some writers also connect it with an old personal name such as Swain. Another possibility in older etymological works is an occupational sense from an Old English word for a herdsman or pastoral servant, though this is less certain. Because the surname appears in more than one form and may have more than one origin, it is best treated as mixed or uncertain rather than single-source.
History
Medieval records show forms such as Thomas atte Swan and Henry le Swan, which fit both nickname and sign-name patterns common in Middle English. The name was established early in England and also appears in Scandinavian-influenced contexts. Over time it remained a familiar English surname, with Swan and Swann both surviving as standard spellings.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In heraldry and medieval symbolism, the swan was prized enough to serve as both a badge and a food associated with elite status.
From the historical record
“swelgan, to swallow, absorb] SWAN 1 (Eng. and Scand.) i a nickname SWANN \iTom the Swan [O.E. swan ~ SWANNE JO.N. s»a«-y] Henry le Swan. — Rolls of Pari. 2 a sign-name. Thomas atte Swan. — Close Rolls. 3 = Swain, q.v.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)