Surname Haward - Meaning and Origin
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Haward: What does the surname Haward mean?
The last name Haward is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an occupational name referring to a guardian or watchman. It is derived from the Old English elements "heah," meaning "high" and "weard," meaning "guard." It should be noted that the old rendering of the name in medieval times was much along the structure of Heward, Heyward, or Howard. Evolving through generations, the name variations have given birth to surnames like Haward. Its original concept also bore the meaning of 'chief warden' or 'chief guardian,' a role of significant responsibility and status in old Norman and Anglo Saxon societies. It implies that certain ancestors of the Haward family likely held such positions. Today, Haward is not as prevalent as its other variants like Howard, but it still proudly reflects the historical roots attached to its meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisHaward: Where does the name Haward come from?
The surname Haward is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is a variant form of the name Hayward. The name means "guardian of the hedge or fence" in Old English, derived from the elements "hege" (hedge or fence) and "weard" (guard or ward). It was often used as a professional name given to a person who was a warden of fenced-in areas like farms or woodland.
In some cases, Haward could also be derived from the Old Norse personal name "Haward", a combination of "ha" (high) and "vardr" (guardian or defender).
Today, the surname is found in many English-speaking countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and Canada. It is most common in England, particularly in the regions of East Anglia and the South East. While the exact number of people with the surname Haward is not known, it is estimated that there are several thousand bearers of the surname in the world today.
Variations of the surname Haward
The surname Haward is of old English origin and it can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon culture. It is derived from the personal name Howard, which originally meant "sheep herder".
Various spellings and variants of the surname have emerged over time due to the pronunciation differences and phonetic spellings. These include Howard, Howerd, Hayward, Harward, Haworth, Heward, Heyward, Houard, Hoard, Huard, Haward, Hawarde, Haeward, and Haywood.
The surname is not strictly confined to England. With migration, the name has spread to other parts of the world and adopted slightly different forms. It has also made its way into the Scottish culture as Huard and Hewart.
In the United States, the most common variant is Howard. In French-speaking regions, it can be found as Huard or Houard. In German-speaking regions, it is known as Hewart.
Regardless of the spelling, these surnames all share a common heritage, giving a nod to the ancestral occupation of sheep herding. Today, this surname can often be found among individuals of English descent around the world.
Famous people with the name Haward
- Howard Stern: American radio and television personality
- Howard Hughes: Billionaire, aviator, engineer, and philanthropist
- Howard Carter: British archaeologist and Egyptologist
- Howard Cosell: American sports broadcaster
- Howard Deutch: American film and television director
- Howard Dean: American political figure and former Governor of Vermont
- Howard Shore: Canadian composer
- Howard Hodgkin: British painter
- Howard Sternin: American television producer
- Howard “Humpy” Wheeler: American auto racing promoter and businessman