Swinton is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the name of a town located in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse words 'svine' meaning 'pig' and 'tun' meaning 'farmstead', suggesting that it may have originally referred to a farm or estate where pigs were kept. The Swinton family, who are descended from this Scottish town, gained prominence in Scotland through their military service and political influence during the medieval period.
In 1924, there were five individuals named Swinton born annually.