Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Swinestone 1242×3 Ass

• Swayneston 1351 BM 1362,1440×1 IPM

• Suaynnistone 1366 GD

• Swaynston 1484,1549 IPM

• Swanston 1564 1580 Wills

• Swainston 1613 IPM 1634 Lond 19th

• High Swainston Farm Homestead, Middle Swainston Farm Homestead 1838 TA

Etymology

Possibly 'Swein's estate', ME  by-name Swein , Swain + tūn. The late occurrence of this p.n. in the records suggests that the specific may be the late by-name Swein , Swain derived from the ME  appellative sweyn , swein , swain etc. 'young man, attendant, follower' rather than the ON  pers.n. Sveinn . For the English surn. (for which the graphies ei , ai would be northern spellings for ME long a ) cf. the William Swan who held a toft and croft in Bradbury early 13thElemos . In spite of previous discussions, therefore, the status of this p.n. as a Durham example of the so-called Grimston-hybrid type is in doubt. Cf. SPNYL 276–82, SPNN 356–60, esp. 358–9, Nomina 12 (1988–9), 20, Swainston Isle of Wight PNWt 100, Sweineston 1213, Swayneston 1285, and the p.ns. Swainby, Swainsthorpe, Swainswick. It is unclear whether the 1242×3 Assize form is a genuine or mistaken variant or due to popular etymology, cf. Swinethorpe DLiPN 122, Suenestorp 1181, Suinetorp 1191, 1194, Swainestorp 1202, Sweynestorp 1240, 1242×3, Swinesthorp 1266 “no doubt due to popular etymology”.