Show ContentsHayward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hayward is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a person who was in charge of protecting an enclosed forest from damage by vandals, animals, and poachers. The name was originally derived from the Old English haye, which meant enclosure. [1] Another source notes the name as an occupational name as in " 'the hayward,' a keeper of cattle, literally 'hedge-watcher'". [2]

"The duties of the hayward were of a varied nature. His chief task seems to have been to guard the cattle at pasture; but he also protected the crops from thieves, trimmed the hedges, etc. In old poems he is generally represented as carrying a horn." [3]

And to underscore the Saxon heritage, one learned source bluntly says "there is nothing Norman in this name." [4]

Early Origins of the Hayward family

The surname Hayward was first found in Lancashire at Heywood, a town and chapelry, in the township of Heap, parish and union of Bury, hundred of Salford. "Heywood, in the Saxon, denotes the site of a wood in a field, or a wood surrounded by fields; a family of the same name resided here for many generations. " [5] Heywood Hall was long the residence of the ancestors of the baronet's family. [1]

One source notes "the son of John, the eldest son of William de Wiggenshall, who took the sir-name of Heyward, Hauuard, or Howard; and was the first of this Family of that Sir-name, which, as I take it, he took from the office of Heyward there." [6]

The first record of the family was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 when Hauuart, an early spelling of the family name was listed in Yorkshire. [7]

Years later, Haward de Wihton was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1166 and later again, William, Stephen Haward was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Cheshire in 1332. [7]

As an occupational name, early records were scattered as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Adam le Hayward in Devon; Roger le Hayward in Buckinghamshire; and Alicia le Heyward in Huntingdonshire.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Robertus Hayward and Magota Hayward. [2]

Early History of the Hayward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hayward research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1497, 1530, 1535, 1564, 1569, 1570, 1578, 1580, 1598, 1599, 1600, 1627, 1630, 1633, 1641, 1650, 1663, 1677, 1687, 1693, 1702, 1746, 1756, 1776 and 1809 are included under the topic Early Hayward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hayward Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Hayward include Hayward, Heyward, Haward, Haywood, Heywood and others.

Early Notables of the Hayward family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Sir John Hayward (c. 1564-1627), a noted Elizabethan historian, lawyer and politician, born near Felixstowe, Suffolk; John Heywood (1497?-1580), an English poet, friend of Sir Thomas More, and a court...

Hayward World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hayward is the 2,312nd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. [8] However, in Canada, the name Hayward is ranked the 873rd most popular surname with an estimated 6,110 people with that name. [9] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hayward is the 232nd popular surname with an estimated 190 people with that name. [10] Australia ranks Hayward as 449th with 8,370 people. [11] New Zealand ranks Hayward as 253rd with 2,390 people. [12] The United Kingdom ranks Hayward as 311st with 19,686 people. [13]


United States Hayward migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Hayward were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Hayward Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Hayward, who arrived in America in 1632 [14]
  • Thomas Hayward, who landed in New England in 1634 [14]
  • Thomas Hayward, who settled in New England in 1634 with his wife Susannah and five children
  • Samuel Hayward, who settled in Boston in 1635
  • Howell Hayward, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 [14]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hayward Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Hayward, who landed in America in 1804 [14]

Canada Hayward migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hayward Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Alfred Hayward, aged 17, who arrived in Montreal in 1852
  • Sophia Hayward, aged 9, who arrived in Montreal in 1852

Australia Hayward migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hayward Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. James Hayward, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
Hayward Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Hayward, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • James Hayward, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • William Hayward, English convict from Warwick, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [18]
  • Mr. John Hayward, British convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [19]
  • Mr. James Hayward, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 25th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [20]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Hayward migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hayward Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Robert Hayward, who landed in Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • William Hayward, aged 30, a milliner, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Mr. Hayward, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Tuscan" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 28th September 1842 [21]
  • Arthur Hayward, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1843 aboard the ship William Stoveld
  • William Hayward, aged 31, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Hayward migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [22]
Hayward Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. William Hayward, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 [23]

Contemporary Notables of the name Hayward (post 1700) +

  • Justin David Hayward (b. 1946), English musician, best known as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and composer in the rock band The Moody Blues
  • Admiral Thomas Bibb Hayward (1924-2022), American Chief of Naval Operations for the United States Navy from July 1, 1978, until June 30, 1982
  • William R. Hayward, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 28th District, 2012 [24]
  • William H. Hayward, American politician, Member of Connecticut State Senate 9th District, 1877-81. Interment somewhere in Colchester, Connecticut [24]
  • William C. Hayward, American Republican politician, Secretary of State of Iowa, 1907-13 [24]
  • William Hayward (1906-1993), American Republican politician, Mayor of Royal Oak, Michigan, 1945-49, 1959-63 ; Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 18th District, 1952; Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1959-76 [24]
  • William Hayward (1877-1944), American Republican politician, Otoe County Judge, 1901-02; Nebraska Republican State Chair, 1907-09; Secretary of Republican National Committee, 1908-12; U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, 1921-25 [24]
  • William Hayward Jr. (1787-1836), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates, 1818-20; U.S. Representative from Maryland 7th District, 1823-25 [24]
  • Walter Hayward, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Rhode Island, 1916 [24]
  • Thomas Hayward, American politician, Postmaster at Tallahassee, Florida, 1851 [24]
  • ... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Edwin A Hayward, British Ordnance Artificer 4th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [25]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Stanley W Hayward, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [26]
HMS Royal Oak
  • Jasper Gladman Hayward (d. 1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [27]
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. Alfred Hayward, Newfoundlander from Bonavista, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
  • Mr. John Hayward (b. 1891), Newfoundlander from Bonavista, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived


Suggested Readings for the name Hayward +

  • A Search for Haigwood-Hagwood-Haygood-et cetera (also Hayward) by John E. Haigwood.

  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  7. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  11. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  13. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  14. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  18. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 155 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1822
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  23. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, June 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  25. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  26. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  27. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook