Show ContentsAilywart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ailywart comes from one of the family having worked as a keeper of a hall. The surname Ailywart is composed of the elements hall, which denoted one who was employed at such a manor-house or hall, and ward, which was originally applied to one who was a watchman. [1]

"The Domesday Book Æluuard, Aluuard, Eluuardus may represent OE Ælfweard ‘elf guard’ which is clearly represented above or OE Æðelweard ‘noble guard’ which survives as Aylward and also appears as Alward. In the 12th century the two names were confused." [2] But earlier records show "AElward and Ailward were personal names before 1086. [3]

Early Origins of the Ailywart family

The surname Ailywart was first found in Suffolk at Bury St Edmunds where the first entries for the name were singularly Aluardus (1182-1186), and Alfwardus pistor (1200-1211.) [2]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included entries for Bernard Aylward, Wiltshire; Beatrix Aylward, Buckinghamshire; and Alan Alward, Cambridgeshire. [4] In Norfolk, records there show John Ayleward, Norwich, 1325 and Hamond Ayleward, vicar of Swardeston, Norfolk, 1376. [5] Early Somerset records show Nicholas Alyward, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign. [6]

In Scotland, "John Aluart was "office bearer," [and was] probably procurator of the Scottish Nation in the University of Orleans, 1418." [7]

Early History of the Ailywart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ailywart research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1626 and 1669 are included under the topic Early Ailywart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ailywart Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ailywart have been found, including: Allward, Alward, Alwood, Allwood, Alwart, Ailward, Alyward, Aylward, Ailard, Allard, Aillard, Ailard and many more.

Early Notables of the Ailywart family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ailywart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Ailywart family to Ireland

Some of the Ailywart family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ailywart family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Ailywart, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : John Alward who settled in Maryland in 1666; Andrew Alward who settled in Boston in 1849. In Newfoundland the family settled in Cape Broyl, Grand Falls and St. John's..



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  6. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  7. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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