Surname Herward - Meaning and Origin
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Herward: What does the surname Herward mean?
The last name Herward likely originated from Anglo-Saxon origins in England. It is derived from the Old English personal name ‘Hereweard’, which likely originated as a combination of two words; 'here' meaning 'army' and 'weard' meaning 'guardian'. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was a brave defender of his people.
The earliest records of the Herward surname date from the 10th century in the kingdom of Wessex, specifically in the counties of Middlesex, Wiltshire, and Somerset. The first recorded instance of the name is Alfred de Hereward who was a witness in a land dispute in London in 1099.
The popularity of the name declined after the Norman Conquest of 1066, with the adoption of Norman surnames instead of the old Anglo-Saxon names. The Herward spelling was not seen again until the late Middle Ages, when records and documents list variants such as Herwode, Herwarde, and Herwardy.
Today, the surname Herward is still fairly common in England and can be found in various place names, such as Herwardeford in Northumberland and Herwardeslake in Devon. More recently, people with the surname Herward can be found living in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisHerward: Where does the name Herward come from?
The surname Herward is believed to originate from England, particularly from the Anglo-Saxon period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English elements "here" and "weard", meaning "army guard". Thus, it was likely a name given to a person who held the role of a guardian or protector for an army.
As with many ancient surnames, the spelling can vary greatly over time and location, with versions such as Hereward, Hareward, Harward, and others. The name might have gained fame due to Hereward the Wake, a legendary English hero resisting Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
Nowadays, as with many older surnames, Herward is not particularly common. It can still be found in England, albeit rather infrequently. The advances of modern technology and global migration have also likely scattered the surname to various regions around the world. However, without extensive research, it's challenging to specify the geographical regions where it's most prevalent today.
Variations of the surname Herward
The surname Herward is quite rare and may have variations in spelling depending on the region and period. Some of the probable variants and similar surnames include Hayward, Hereward, Harward, Heyward, Heywood and Heward. The surname Herward could have potentially emerged from an Anglicized form of the German surname Herwardt or Herwart. Its meaning provides a clue to its origin - it possibly derives from Old English elements 'here', meaning army, and 'weard', meaning guard. Another possible origin could be from the Old Norse 'Hægri', a nickname meaning the faster one, and 'vardr', a watchman or guard. These might have been occupational names for a military guard.
The surname Herward could also be a variation of the Anglo-Saxon first name Hereward, most notably borne by Hereward the Wake, a hero of resistance to the Norman conquest of England. This name, Hereward, likely means "guardian of the army." The surname variant Hayward, on the other hand, was likely an occupational name for a keeper of a hedge or a caretaker of a fenced-in enclosure.
Given the rarity of Herward, its precise origin and variations could be further clarified through a professional genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Herward
- Edward Herward (American actor)
- Charles Herward (Victorian photographer)
- Ian Herward (professional American football player)
- Priscilla Herward (British composer and conductor)
- Luke Herward (British actor)
- Dave Herward (American professional wrestler)
- Julian Herward (British actor)
- Tony Herward (American professional surfer)
- Lauren Herward (American model and TV personality)
- Atwood Herward (American politician)