Swainson is a family name of English origin. It may refer to:
People Bill Swainson, English editor and literary consultant Charles Swainson (naturalist), (1841–1913), Rector of High Hurst Wood and later of Old Charlton, author of books on birds, weather and folk-lore Charles Anthony Swainson (1820–1887), English theologian Gina Swainson (born 1958), Bermudan first runner-up in the 1979 Miss Universe contest Isaac Swainson (1746–1812), English patent medicine entrepreneur John Swainson (1925–1994), American politician William Swainson (1789–1855), English naturalist William Swainson (lawyer) (1809–1884), English lawyer
Places The Swainson Island Group, which includes Swainson Island, Tasmania, Australia
Biology Birds Swainson's flycatcher, Myiarchus swainsoni Swainson's francolin, or Francolinus swainsonii Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni Swainson's sparrow, Passer swainsonii Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus Swainson's warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii
Butterflies Swainson's crow, Euploea swainson
Plants Swainsona, large genus of flowering plants native to Australia