SAWERS
Sawers
Sawers is a Scottish and Northern Irish surname of patronymic origin derived from the given name "Sawer" or "Sawyer". The name "Sawer" originated from the Old English word "sagu" meaning "saw" and was used to refer to someone who operated a sawmill or cut wood for a living.
Origins
The surname Sawers has its roots in medieval England and Scotland, where individuals in the woodworking trade would adopt the name to differentiate themselves from others. Over time, families associated with the occupation passed down the surname Sawer to subsequent generations.
Distribution
The Sawers surname is predominantly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with notable concentrations in areas such as Glasgow, Belfast, and Edinburgh. The name has also spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world due to migrations and diaspora.
Notable Individuals
- Eric Sawers (1917–2003) – A renowned Scottish composer known for his contributions to classical music.
- Angela Sawers (b. 1965) – A respected Northern Irish journalist and author who has covered a wide range of topics, including politics and culture.
- Sir David Sawers (b. 1955) – A former British diplomat who served as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) from 2009 to 2014.
Variants
Variants of the Sawers surname include Sawyer, Sayer, and Sawyard. These variations arose due to phonetic changes and regional differences in pronunciation over the centuries.
In modern times, the Sawers surname continues to be a symbol of craftsmanship, industry, and the legacy of woodworking traditions. Family histories and genealogical records often trace back to individuals whose livelihoods revolved around the use of a saw, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Sawers name.
There are approximately 684 people named Sawers in the UK. That makes it roughly the 9,863rd most common surname in Britain. Around 11 in a million people in Britain are named Sawers.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- Brian
- David
- Derek
- George
- James
- John
- Kenneth
- Mark
- Robert
- William
Female
- Alison
- Anne
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Gillian
- Helen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Saras
- Sarau
- Saraw
- Sarrer
- Sars
- Sarwer
- Sauer
- Sauers
- Saurer
- Sauyer
- Sawar
- Sawas
- Saweard
- Saweirs
- Sawer
- Sawerby
- Saweres
- Sawires
- Sawyer
- Sawyerr
- Sawyers
- Scarer
- Searer
- Searers
- Sears
- Sewars
- Sewers
- Shawers
- Siewers
- Sirer
- Skaarer
- Sowers
- Surer
- Suwaris
- Swares
- Swaries
- Swears
- Swearse
- Sweers
- Swiers
- Swires
- Zawar
- Zweers
- Zwiers
- Zwierz
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.