Edwards Family Crest and Name History

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Edwards PDF Surname History


The Ancient History Of The Distinguished Surname Edwards

Edwards

Contents

Edwards history with Edwards Family Crest
Surname Notables

About Family Crests

Edwards Products

Origins Available: English, Welsh

Where did the Welsh Edwards family come from? What is the Welsh coat of arms/family crest? When did the Edwards family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The Welsh surname Edwards was derived from the personal name Edward. This name is in turn derived from the Old English forename "Eadweard," which literally means "prosperity-guard."

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. In the early Middle Ages, the general population was almost entirely illiterate and literary languages had inconsistent rules regarding spelling. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Edwards name over the years has been spelled Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.

First found in Denbighshire, where they were seated from very ancient times, and were descended from Einion Efell, Lord of Cynlleth, living in 1182, son of Madoc, Prince of Powys, who built Oswestry Castle in 1148.

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Edwards: Old Edward who arrived at at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607; John Edward who settled in Virginia in 1699; Richard Edward, who settled in St. Christopher in 1633.

For more information on the last name Edwards, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Some noteworthy people of the name Edwards

Douglas Edwards (1917-1990), America's first network news television anchor
James Burrows Edwards (b. 1927), American, Republican politician and oral surgeon, who was governor of South Carolina from 1975 to 1979
Admiral Richard Stanislaus Edwards DSM (1885-1956), American sailor, served in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II, and rose to Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Edwin Edwards (b. 1927), American politician, Representative from Louisiana, governor of Louisiana (1972-1980, 1984-1988, 1992-1996)
Walter Alison Edwards (1862-1924), American educator, President of California Institute of Technology from 1897 to 1907
John Reid Edwards (b. 1953), American Lawyer and Senator from North Carolina (1998-)
Gus Edwards (1879-1945), American songwriter and vaudevillian inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970
Sherman Edwards (1919-1981), Tony Award winning American composer
Junior D. Edwards (1926-1951), American Army soldier during the Korean War posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
Sir George Robert Edwards (1908-2003), British Aeronautical Designer, knighted in 1957
Amelia Ann Blandford Edwards (1831-1892), English novelist, journalist, lady traveller and Egyptologist
Robert Walter Dudley Edwards (1910-1988), Irish historian who co-founded the Irish Historical Society in 1936
Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards (1914-1984), Australian aviator awarded the Victoria Cross during WWII

Tell Me More About Family Crests

Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist

We have researched the Edwards family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline

Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements

In the Edwards coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate

We encourage you to study the Edwards genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Edwards Family Crest Products

Anniversary

Anniversary products for the name Edwards.

Apparel

Apparel with the coat of arms for the name Edwards.

Armorial histories

Armorial histories for the name Edwards.

Ceramics

Ceramics displaying the Edwards family crest.

Clip art

Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms for the name Edwards.

Downloads

Downloads with the family crest for the name Edwards.

Family Crest

Family Crest for the name Edwards.

Family Tree

Family Tree emphasing the Edwards family crest.

Hand Painted Plaques

Hand Painted Plaques with the family crest for the name Edwards.

Keychains

Keychains with a Edwards coat of arms.

Mouse pads

Mouse pads displaying the family crest for the name Edwards.

New Products

New Products featuring the Edwards family crest.

Packages

Packages showing the Edwards family crest.

Plaques and Frames

Plaques and Frames with a Edwards family crest.

Surname Histories

Surname Histories for the name Edwards.

Symbolism

Symbolism displaying the Edwards family crest.

Travel Mugs

Travel Mugs with a Edwards coat of arms.

Popular Products
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The Edwards Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Edwards Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.