Show ContentsHallwold History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hallwold finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a keeper of a hall. The surname Hallwold 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 Hallwold family

The surname Hallwold 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 Hallwold family

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

Hallwold Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Hallwold has been recorded under many different variations, including Allward, Alward, Alwood, Allwood, Alwart, Ailward, Alyward, Aylward, Ailard, Allard, Aillard, Ailard and many more.

Early Notables of the Hallwold family

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

Ireland Migration of the Hallwold family to Ireland

Some of the Hallwold 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 Hallwold family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hallwold or a variant listed above: 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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