Swain is an English surname derived from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn (Sven, Sweyn), meaning a youth or young man. There are a number of variations in the spelling of the surname Swain, including Swaine, Swainne, and Swayne.
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) and "O God! methinks it were a happy life, To be no better than a homely swain;" (from King Henry VI)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.People with the name include:
Bennie Swain, an American professional basketball playerBrennan Swain, an American television star and winner of The Amazing RaceBrett Swain (disambiguation)Carol M. Swain, American academicDanny!, an American rap performer and record producer from Columbia, South CarolinaDavid Lowry Swain, a governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina in 1832-1835Diana Swain, a Canadian television journalistDominique Swain, an American actressGeorge Gilbert Swain, an American politicianGladys Swain, a French psychiatrist and writerJack Swain, English footballerJames Swain, an American author of mystery novels and non-fiction magic booksJon Swain, an award-winning British journalist and writerKenny Swain, a retired English football playerLeonard Swain, an American Congregational ministerLouisa Ann Swain, the first woman in America to vote in a general electionMack Swain, an American actor and vaudevillianPaul Swain, a New Zealand politicianRichard Swain, a New Zealand rugby league football playerTony Swain (disambiguation)