Swale, Swales. --- Local: (1) 'of Swallow Hill,' a hamlet near Barnsley, co. Yorks. At least there is evidence in favour of this view. (2) 'At the Swale,' from residence beside the river of that name, whence Swaledale. Doubtless this will be deemed the more satisfactory solution. Swales is the genitive form; cf. Williams, Jones, Brooks, Styles, etc. The first reference is in Darton, the parish in which Swallow Hill lies. Isabella de Swahill, 1379 : P. T. Yorks. p. 88. Robertus de Swaloughill, 1379 : ibid. p. 51. Richardus Swale, 1379 : ibid. p. 70. Thomas de Swale, 1379 : ibid. p. 252. 1754, Married -- Matthew Swales and Dorothy Johnson : St. Geo. Chap. Mayfair, p. 273 MDB. (West Rid. Yorks), 15 7; West Riding Court Dir., 6, z?. Source: Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames With Special American Instances. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. Originally published London, 1901 Above is one of several coat of arms awarded to a member of the Swale(s) family. Although no coat of arms applies to a family, rather to an individual, this coat of arms may have belonged to one of our ancestors. The background image is of the River Swale, near Mucker. Arms: Azure, a fess nebuly argent. Crest: A greyhound courant ermine collared azure. Motto: Jesu, esto mihi Jesus. (Jesus, be my Savior/Healer.) Color Key: Silver or White (Argent): Peace and sincerity. Blue (Azure): Truth and loyalty. Ermine (white with black spots): Represents fur; Dignity. Source: Burke's The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.