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ArchivesRe: "Swain" (various meanings?)
in reply to a message by Satu
Right, Swain has two possible etymologies but more than two possible meanings unfortunately.
From a Dictionary of Surnames;
Swain can either be derived from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn which was originally a byname meaning "boy, servant".
Or it can be derived from the Middle English 'swein' (which itself is dervied from the Old Norse 'sveinn', a cognate of the Old English 'swan') meaning "servant, attendant". 'Swain' wasn't used as a word meaning 'lover, wooer' until the 16th century.
As for Kevingeown, unless you have evidence to the contrary I would assume it is a spelling mistake of the name Kevington (they were probably trying to write Kevingetown or Kevingeton - as the extra 'e' is quite common). But I can't find any evidence of this name anywhere. :( Sorry.
From a Dictionary of Surnames;
Swain can either be derived from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn which was originally a byname meaning "boy, servant".
Or it can be derived from the Middle English 'swein' (which itself is dervied from the Old Norse 'sveinn', a cognate of the Old English 'swan') meaning "servant, attendant". 'Swain' wasn't used as a word meaning 'lover, wooer' until the 16th century.
As for Kevingeown, unless you have evidence to the contrary I would assume it is a spelling mistake of the name Kevington (they were probably trying to write Kevingetown or Kevingeton - as the extra 'e' is quite common). But I can't find any evidence of this name anywhere. :( Sorry.
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Attn:- Kynaston
Firstly, thank you for all your help.
Secondly, can you recommend any reference books or Internet sites relating to Old English/ Old Norse name origins??
With Regards, "Bagpus"
Firstly, thank you for all your help.
Secondly, can you recommend any reference books or Internet sites relating to Old English/ Old Norse name origins??
With Regards, "Bagpus"
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Good internet sites:
Old Icelandic Dictionary (Old Norse)
http://www.northvegr.org/zoega/index.php
Germanic Lexicon Project
http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~kurisuto/germanic/language_resources.html
Simple Old English wordlist
http://www.mun.ca/Ansaxdat/vocab/wordlist.html
Good Books:
A Dictionary of English Surnames (PH Reaney)
A Dictionary of British Place Names (AD Mills)
Dictionary of Surnames (Hanks & Hodges)
Chambers Dictionary of Etymology
Unfortunately I haven't got any books or reference sites on Old Norse or Old English first names (although I'm sure there are some) so you have to search about a bit.
I hope this helps you :)
Old Icelandic Dictionary (Old Norse)
http://www.northvegr.org/zoega/index.php
Germanic Lexicon Project
http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~kurisuto/germanic/language_resources.html
Simple Old English wordlist
http://www.mun.ca/Ansaxdat/vocab/wordlist.html
Good Books:
A Dictionary of English Surnames (PH Reaney)
A Dictionary of British Place Names (AD Mills)
Dictionary of Surnames (Hanks & Hodges)
Chambers Dictionary of Etymology
Unfortunately I haven't got any books or reference sites on Old Norse or Old English first names (although I'm sure there are some) so you have to search about a bit.
I hope this helps you :)
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