Selwyn

English

Etymology

Middle English form of Latin Silvanus. Also from the Old English given name Selewine, from sel (“hall”) + wine (“friend”). The places are named after bearers of the surname.

Proper noun

Selwyn

1. A surname transferred from the given name.
2. A male given name from Old English transferred back from the surname, in quiet use since the 19th century.
3. Any of a number of places in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and US.
   1. The Selwyn River, a river in Canterbury, New Zealand, named after Bishop George Selwyn.
   2. A small settlement on the south side of the river in Canterbury, New Zealand.
   3. Selwyn District, a local government district in Canterbury, New Zealand, named after the river.
   4. A locality, formerly a mining town in the Shire of Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia, named after the Selwyn Range.
   5. A township in Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada, renamed from Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield in 2013.
   6. An unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States.
4. (Cambridge University, informal) Ellipsis of Selwyn College, Cambridge.

Translations

surname

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 塞爾温 (Sāi'ěrwēn)

• Maori: Herewini

given name

• Maori: Herewini

place name

• Maori: Herewini