Swyre

Dorset

One line of John's ancestors, had the surname Swyer. The surname Swyer is not common but it seems is was more common in Dorset than anywhere else. The surname may be derived from the small village of Swyre or perhaps the village was named after a Swyer family that lived there. The surname Swyer is sometimes said to have the same derivation as 'squire'. The village name is pronounced 'swire' as in fencing wire.


Old postcard made up of six images of Swyre

Souvenir of Swyre    Hider, 241

An unposted postcard made from six images. Each image is expanded below.


The first of the six images

Swyre    H&L, 2A


Second of the six images

Swyre    H&L, 210


Third of the six images

Swyre    H&L, 1A


Fourth of the six images

Swyre    H&L, 23


Fifth of the six images

Swyre    H&L, 211


The last of the six images

Swyre    H&L 22


old postcard

Copyright B.O.S.6.    Swyre Church and Bull Hotel. Bexington On Sea.   R.T. &S, Ltd.
From TuckDB Postcards

The Church of the Holy Trinity, the parish church of Swyre is tucked away in the left of the photograph and the Bull Hotel takes up the rest. Today the hotel is referred to as the Bull Inn.


image of map

Part of an old map of Dorset showing the village of Swyre.


Note: There is a Swyre Head near Kingston which is the highest point in the Purbeck Hills. This is 41 kilometres (26 miles) east of the village of Swyre. There is another Swyre Head on the coast near Durdle Door which is also to the east of the village about 29km (18 miles) away. The two Swyre Heads are about 13km (8 miles) apart.


black and white postcard with a view of Durdle Door

Durdle Door From Swyre Head.    On reverse: C. & S. Kestin, 55 St Mary Street. Weymouth.