McWard History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe ancient Gaelic form of the Irish name McWard was Mac an Bhaird, which means son of the bard. Early Origins of the McWard familyThe surname McWard was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the McWard familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McWard research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1749 and 1794 are included under the topic Early McWard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McWard Spelling VariationsMany different spelling variations of the surname McWard were found in the archives researched. These included Scribes and church officials generally spelled a name as it sounded; as a result, a person's name could be spelt innumerable ways in his lifetime. MacWard, McWard, Macanward, MacCanward, MacAward and many more. Early Notables of the McWard familyMore information is included under the topic Early McWard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants landed on North American shores. Although many of them were merely looking for a free plot of land and living of their very own, many later immigrants were desperately fleeing an overcrowded land that did not have sufficient food for its inhabitants. The exodus from Ireland was greatest during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine had stricken the island. Although this large influx of Irish was unpopular with the great majority of people already established within the major centers, these Irish were critical to the speedy development of the United States and those colonies that would eventually become known as Canada. These immigrants provided the cheap labor required to build modern roads, bridges, canals, and railways. Research of passenger and immigration lists has shown a number of immigrants to North America baring the name of McWard: McWard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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