Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

Kotes on t^t iFamflies of Bontr antr stDagne
year of the reign of King James i*", to William, a/zas Thomas, Swayne,
Citizen of London and Merchant-adventurer." Burke says: "Samuel
Swain, of Sewardstone, co. Essex, Alderman of London, a direct descend-
ant of William Swayne, of London, gent., who had the arms confirmed in
1 61 2, on producing a grant to his ancestor, William Swayne, bearing
date 29 June, 1444. A2. a chev. betw. three pheons or, on a chiefgu. as
many maidens heads couped ppr., crined of the second. Crest : A maidens
head coiipedppr., crined or."
Since it is certain that our Swaynes belonged to a heraldic family, the
coincidences of station and names, and perhaps of location in England,
lead us to believe, and we think our friends will agree with us, that it was
the family whose arms we have given. In this view the writer has corres-
ponded with several persons of the name in England, but has obtained
information from only two of them :
Henry
James Fowle Swayne Esq.
of Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, and Miss Caroline Ann Swayne of
Clifton, Bristol, near Bath.
The name is Danish, as is shown by that of King Sweyn (Swein),
father of King Canute, who conquered England in 1013, and had in
1003 plundered and burnt Wilton and probably Sarum (Salisbury). It is
understood by the present family in England that their origin was Danish.
Mr. Swayne writes (Feb. 18, 1887) that he finds in Bath' deeds a Swein
in 121 3 and 1230, Thomas Sweyn in 1280, William Swayn Mayor in 1333,
and Nicholas Swayne M.P. for "the City" in 1362. The first grant of
arms in the Swayne family was to William Swayne of the county of
Somerset, by Guyon King of Arms, 39 H. VI. Mr. Swayne says he
believes it is the earliest known coat of arms still used in England.
Several families claiming to belong to the same stock settled in London
between about 1550 and 1680, using the same arms but with differences.
There was a branch-family of consideration in Leverington, co. Cambridge,
spelling their name Swaine, some of whom were High Sheriffs of the
' In Somerset just over the line from Wiltshire, not far from Salisbury.
359