Contents [hide]

Aylward History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Aylward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The roots of this English name predate the Norman invasion of 1066. It comes from the Old English name "Adelweard," which existed before surnames came into usage in Britain. The name is composed of the elements "adal," meaning "noble," and "ward," meaning "guard," combined to mean "noble protector." 1 The Domesday Book lists Aegelward and Ailuuard. 2

Early Origins of the Aylward family

The surname Aylward was first found in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where a Godric filius Aeilwardi was living in 1095. 1

While most of the records point to Suffolk, an earlier record was found of Earl Aylward founding Buckfast Abbey at Buckfastleigh, Devon in 1018 during the reign of King Cnut.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 pointed to the widespread use of the name by that time: Bernard Aylward, Wiltshire; Beatrix Aylward, Buckinghamshire; and Alan Alward, Cambridgeshire. 3

The Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III listed Simon filius Aylward, Lancashire, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign.) In Norfolk, John Ayleward was listed there in 1325 and Hamond Ayleward was vicar of Swardeston, in 1376. 4 An early entry was also found in Somerset where Nicholas Alyward was listed there 1 Edward III. 5

Early History of the Aylward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aylward research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1153, 1168, 1201, 1229, 1243, 1601, 1705, 1730, 1755, 1759, 1769, 1771, 1784, 1788, 1791 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Aylward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aylward Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Aylward are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Aylward include: Aylward, Ailward, Eylward and others.

Early Notables of the Aylward family

Distinguished members of the family include

Theodore Aylward, born in or about 1730...
In 1769 the Catch Club awarded him the prize medal for his serious glee, 'A cruel fate,' a surprising decision, as one of the competing compositions was Arne's fine glee, 'Come shepherds we'll follow...

Aylward World Ranking

In the United States, the name Aylward is the 18,822^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Aylward is ranked the 254^th most popular surname with an estimated 174 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Aylward family to Ireland

Some of the Aylward family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aylward migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Aylward or a variant listed above:

Aylward Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ellen Aylward, aged 21, who landed in America, in 1895
Alice Aylward, aged 23, who landed in America from County Waterford, Ireland in 1898

Aylward Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Agnes Aylward, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States from Ballyduff, in 1901
Edward Aylward, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from County Waterford, Ireland in 1906
Edward Aylward, aged 20, who settled in America from Bagnalstown, Ireland, in 1907
Annie Aylward, aged 11, who immigrated to the United States from Thomastown, Ireland, in 1908
Anastasia Aylward, aged 26, who landed in America from Belfast, Ireland, in 1912
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Aylward migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Aylward Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. James Aylward, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing 10th May 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board 8
Mr. James Aylward, aged 88 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Ann Kenny" departing 27th June 1847 from Waterford, Ireland; the ship arrived on 5th August 1847 but he died on board 8

Aylward Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Bernard Joseph Aylward, aged 24, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1917
Aileen Aylward, aged 2, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1923

Aylward migration to Australia +

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

Aylward Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Edward Aylward, (b. 1809), aged 21, Irish carpenter who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for 7 years for robbery, transported aboard the "Forth" on 1st January 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1836 9
Mr. William Aylward, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Mr. James Aylward, (May) who was convicted in Devizes, Wiltshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Malcolm" on 13th May 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island 11
Mr. Joseph Aylward, Sr. who was convicted in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England for life, transported aboard the "David Malcolm" on 13th May 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island 11
Mr. Joseph Aylward, English convict who was convicted in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bangalore" on 28th March 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) from Bermuda 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Aylward 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:

Aylward Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Martha B. Aylward, (b. 1827), aged 36, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 13
Mr. Richard Aylward, (b. 1850), aged 13, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 13
Miss Mary Ann Aylward, (b. 1852), aged 11, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 13
Mr. William Aylward, (b. 1854), aged 9, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 13
Miss Martha Aylward, (b. 1856), aged 7, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Aylward (post 1700) +

John Aylward (1946-2022), American actor, best known for playing the former DNC chairman Barry Goodwin on the NBC television series The West Wing
James P. Aylward (1885-1982), American lawyer and politician, a political associate of President Harry S. Truman
Richard John "Dick" Aylward (1925-1983), American professional baseball player from Baltimore, Maryland; he played in four games in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians during the 1953 season
Paul L. Aylward (1908-1996), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kansas, 1960, 1972; Candidate for U.S. Senator from Kansas, 1962 14
John A. Aylward, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Governor of Wisconsin, 1906, 1908; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin, 1912 14
James Patrick Aylward, American Democratic Party politician, Missouri Democratic State Chair, 1934-39; Member of Democratic National Committee from Missouri, 1934-42; Vice-Chair of Democratic National Committee, 1939 14
James P. Aylward Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 1956, 1960 14
James F. Aylward, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Massachusetts 8th District, 1918 14
Edward F. Aylward, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 1960 14
James Ambrose Dominic Aylward (1813-1872), English theologian and poet from Leeds, Yorkshire
... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

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)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
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.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 64)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/forth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bardaster
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-malcolm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bangalore
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html