Surname Southward - Meaning and Origin
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Southward: What does the surname Southward mean?
Southward is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is a locational surname. It indicates that the original bearer was someone who lived towards the south of a main settlement or from a place called Southward. The name can be dissected into two parts: 'south' and 'ward'. 'South' is a cardinal direction and 'ward' is derived from the Old English word 'weard', meaning 'guardian' or 'protector'. So, originally Southward might have represented a person who was a guardian of the southern section of a village or town. Over time, as people moved from their original homes and spread across different regions, the name Southward persisted as a unique identifier and was passed down through generations. It's important to clarify that the exact origin and meaning may vary as it may have different roots in different cultures and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisSouthward: Where does the name Southward come from?
The last name Southward is generally most common in former British colonies and areas with a large population of descendants from British settlers. This includes parts of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
In the United States, the surname Southward is most common along the south Atlantic coast, particularly in and around the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It is also found in other states of the south and midwest. As of 2020, Southward was the 5,341st most common surname in the United States.
In Canada, the surname Southward is primarily found in British Columbia, with smaller numbers in Alberta and Ontario. As of 2020, Southward ranked 373rd in Canada in terms of overall commonality.
In Australia, Southward is most commonly found in Victoria and New South Wales. As of 2020, Southward was the 5,348th most common surname in Australia.
In New Zealand, Southward is primarily found in the North Island and is fairly evenly spread across both urban and rural areas. As of 2020, Southward is the 8,921st most common surname in New Zealand.
In South Africa, Southward is mostly found in and around the Eastern Cape province. As of 2020, Southward was the 19,206th most common surname in South Africa.
Variations of the surname Southward
The surname Southward is derived from the Old English words souþ and weard, meaning someone who lived in the southward direction. There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Southwood, Southwarde, and Suthward. Southwood is an Anglo-Saxon and Old English name for someone living south of the woods, while Southwarde is a patronymic variation of Southward, and Suthward is a variant spelling meaning the same thing.
Southward can also be spelled as Suthewaard, Suthweard, Sutthward, Sutteawarde, Suthwearde, and Suthwart. These variants mostly originated in the southwestern part of England, such as Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.
The feminine version of Southward is Southwarde, which is derived from the Old English words south and weard. This spelling is mainly found in Cornwall and Devon, while the variant spellings include Southwarden and Southwooden.
Southward is also an anglicization of the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh surname O’Toole. O’Toole, which literally means “descendant of Tuathal”, is related to a legendary figure of the same name who fought alongside Brian Boru in the Battle of Clontarf. The variant spellings of O’Toole include Towell, Towle, and Tewell.
In conclusion, there are several variants, spellings, and surnames connected to Southward due to its origins in Old English and Irish words. These variants range from Southwood and Southwarde to O’Toole and Tewell, all of which played a vital role in the development of the Southward surname.
Famous people with the name Southward
- Michael Southward: Olympic swimmer and coach.
- Pat Southward: former NHL player.
- Erin Southward: Actress and comedian.
- Simon Southward: Professional golfer.
- Michael Southward: Professional rugby player.
- John Southward: World War II hero.
- Carol Southward: Award-winning fashion designer.
- Jean Southward: Model and actress.
- Victoria Southward: Professional tennis player.
- Daniel Southward: Professional boxer.
- Penny Southward: Artist and author.
- Caroline Southward: Olympic steeplechase gold medalist.
- David Southward: Television producer.
- Hal Southward: Professional football player.
- John Southward: Former NBA player.
- Sarah Southward: Classic American film actress.
- Gloria Southward: Award-winning interior designer.
- Richard Southward: Author and motivational speaker.
- Stephen Southward: Renowned physicist.
- Tony Southward: Conducted Hikes Across America expeditions.
- Clare Southward: World record holder in women's boxing.
- Robin Southward: Adventurer and author.
- Walter Southward: influential 20th century architect.
- Douglas Southward: Orchestral conductor.
- Jonathan Southward: Inventor and philanthropist.