Aylard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Aylard come from its first bearer, who was a person considered to be brave and noble. 1 2

Early Origins of the Aylard family

The surname Aylard was first found in Norfolk and Northampton where they were recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. Adelard was an under tenant of lands at that time. 3 "Adelhard was a cousin of Charlemagne, and Abbot of Corbie." 4

Adelardus (without surname) is also listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Adam Adelard was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Cambridgeshire. The same rolls include Simon filius Aderlard, Lincolnshire. In Somerset, John Athelard was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5 Later John Adelard was documented in 1327 in Yorkshire, and Richard William Adlard was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. 4

In Gloucestershire, early Pipe Rolls listed Roger Aillard (1205) and Richard Alard (1209). Nicholas Adelard was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and Stephen Eyllard was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Richard Athelard was found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 for Cambridgeshire and William Athelard was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 2

"Adelard of Bath was a 12th century writer on philosophy, of English birth, flourished about the beginning of the twelfth century. His English name was Æthelhard. His native place is said to have been Bath; but of the facts of his life little is known beyond the few references to travels contained in his own writings, and an entry in the Pipe Roll, 31 Henry I. " 6

Early History of the Aylard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aylard research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1505 and 1794 are included under the topic Early Aylard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aylard Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Aylard has been spelled many different ways, including Aelheard, Adelard, Adlard and others.

Early Notables of the Aylard family

More information is included under the topic Early Aylard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Aylard family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Aylards to arrive in North America: James Adlard who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the year 1876; but shortly afterward moved to the west. Paul and William Allard had landed in the year 1767.

Contemporary Notables of the name Aylard (post 1700) +

Arthur D. Aylard (1870-1928), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1912 7
Commander Richard J. Aylard CVO (b. 1952), retired British Royal Navy officer, Director and Special Advisor to the Chief Executive of Thames Water, Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales (1991-1996), son of Joyce Ethel Aylard
Joyce Ethel Aylard (1925-2022), née Baker, a British codebreaker at Eastcote, an outstation of Bletchley Park, during World War II, mother of Richard Aylard

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html