Last Name Swenson

The last name "Swenson" is primarily of Swedish origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Sven, which was a common Scandinavian name meaning "young man" or "boy." In this case, "Swenson" would mean "son of Sven." The addition of the "-son" suffix is a common practice in Scandinavian naming conventions to denote paternity. As a result, "Swenson" would originally have been used to identify someone as the son of a man named Sven. Over time, the name has likely undergone variations in spelling and pronunciation as families migrated and different languages and naming customs influenced its evolution.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Swenson

When examining the ethnic identity associated with the surname Swenson, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some shifts between 2000 and 2010. The majority of individuals with this surname identify as White, although there was a small decrease of 1.10% during this period. The Hispanic demographic showed the most significant increase at 51.38%, albeit from a smaller base percentage. There was also an increase in those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander (26.92%) and American Indian and Alaskan Native (20.00%). The proportion of individuals with the Swenson surname who identified as Black or belonging to two or more races saw a decrease and increase respectively.

	2000	2010	Change
White	96.55%	95.49%	-1.1%
Hispanic	1.09%	1.65%	51.38%
Two or More Races	0.98%	1.33%	35.71%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.52%	0.66%	26.92%
Black	0.55%	0.51%	-7.27%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.3%	0.36%	20%

Swenson ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Swenson is British & Irish, which comprises 32.1% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are Scandinavian (29.8%) and French & German (22.1%). Additional ancestries include Eastern European, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese, Finnish, and Ashkenazi Jewish.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	32.1%
Scandinavian	29.8%
French & German	22.1%
Other	16.0%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to many northern European men

If you have haplogroup I1a1b, your paternal line stems from a young branch of I-M253 called I-L22, which likely arose in the last 3,000 years. I-L22 is most common in Northern Europe, but a recent study found that this haplogroup was present in a significant portion of the Partecipanza population living in San Giovanni in Persiceto, Italy. The area of San Giovanni in Persiceto was involved in a migration period in 728 AD, when it became part of the Lombard kingdom, under King Aistulf. San Giovanni in Persiceto was only under Lombard rule for 48 years, after which the Lombards were defeated by King Charlemagne in 776 AD. There are several characteristics of San Giovanni in Persiceto that link it to other Lombard settlements. For instance, some research suggests San Giovanni in Persiceto was the seat of a Lombard Duke between 750 and 800 AD. It is possible that the Lombards who ruled over San Giovanni in Persiceto played an important role in the introduction and growth of haplogroup I-L22 in the region.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Swenson

The meaning and origin of the last name Swenson

The surname Swenson is believed to have originated from Scandinavia, particularly from Sweden and Norway. It is a patronymic surname derived from the old Norse personal name Sven, meaning "young warrior" or "young man." The suffix "-son" indicates "son of," so Swenson literally means "son of Sven." In Scandinavian culture, patronymic surnames were commonly used until hereditary surnames became more established during the late Middle Ages. The name Sven was quite popular in medieval Scandinavian society, and many individuals adopted it as their given name. Over time, the practice of using patronymic surnames became common, and when these surnames began to be passed down from generation to generation, Swenson emerged as a recognizable family name. As Swenson is a common surname among the Swedish and Norwegian communities, it spread as people migrated to various parts of the world, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries. As a result, individuals with the last name Swenson can now be found in different countries, contributing to the diverse cultural heritage associated with this surname.

Geographical distribution of the last name Swenson

The last name Swenson is derived from Swedish origins and is predominantly found among individuals of Scandinavian descent. The geographical distribution of the last name Swenson is primarily concentrated in Sweden, as well as other Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Denmark. Within Sweden, the last name Swenson is especially prevalent in different regions, including Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo. However, due to migration and immigration patterns, individuals with the last name Swenson can be found in various other parts of the world as well. Significant populations of Swensons can be found in the United States, particularly in states with high Swedish immigrant populations, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Other countries with notable communities of Swensons include Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The geographical distribution of the last name Swenson reflects the historical movement and settlement of Scandinavian populations across different parts of the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Swenson

The last name Swenson has a few variations and spellings that have emerged over time. One variation is Svensson, which is a Swedish version of the name. Other variations include Swanson and Swensen. These variations often resulted from different pronunciation patterns and dialects in different regions. The name may also be spelled as Swinson or Svennson, indicating further adaptations based on regional accents and changing linguistic trends. Although the variations may seem disparate, they all ultimately stem from the same original name, pointing to a common ancestral lineage for individuals with these surnames. Regardless of the spelling or variation, those with the last name Swenson, Svensson, Swanson, Swensen, Swinson, or Svennson share a connection and a heritage that binds them together.

Famous people with the last name Swenson

One famous individual with the last name Swenson is Eric Swenson, who made significant contributions to the world of skateboarding. Born in the 1950s, Swenson co-founded the iconic skateboard magazine called "Thrasher" in 1981. As an avid skateboarder himself, he played a pivotal role in promoting and popularizing the sport through this influential publication. Swenson's entrepreneurship and dedication to skateboarding were crucial in shaping the industry, and his magazine continues to be a leading authority on the subject. Additionally, another notable individual with the last name Swenson is Rolf Swenson, an American author and art dealer. Swenson specialized in the field of contemporary art and played a key role in the promotion and support of emerging artists during the 1960s and 1970s. His knowledge and expertise made him a trusted figure within the art community, and his contributions have had a lasting impact on the art world.

Genealogical research on the last name Swenson

The Swenson surname has its origins in Sweden, and it is derived from the Old Norse name Sveinn, meaning "boy" or "servant." The name Swenson likely began as a patronymic, reflecting the practice of naming children after their fathers. Over time, individuals bearing the name Swenson migrated to various countries, notably the United States. Genealogical research on the Swenson family indicates a significant presence in Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Numerous Swenson descendants also settled in regions like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, reflecting the strong Scandinavian heritage in those areas. As with many immigrant families, the Swenson family tree branched out over the generations, with new surnames and lineages emerging through marriages and other connections. Genealogical exploration may reveal ties to notable individuals, historical events, and cultural traditions that showcase the rich history of the Swenson family.

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Swenson"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

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