The ancient Gaelic form of the Irish name Anward was Mac an Bhaird, which means son of the bard.
Loading...
Early Origins of the Anward family
The surname Anward was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
Early History of the Anward family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anward research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1749 and 1794 are included under the topic Early Anward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Anward Spelling Variations
The recording of names in Ireland in the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best due to competing dialects and languages, and the general illiteracy of the population. Research into the name Anward revealed many spelling variations, including MacWard, McWard, Macanward, MacCanward, MacAward and many more.
Early Notables of the Anward family
More information is included under the topic Early Anward Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Migration of the Anward family
Many Irish families did not fare so well within the English-ruled Ireland. Besides racial and religious discrimination, many families were renting out small tracts of farmland from absentee landowners at often unreasonable rates. Beginning in the late 18th century, moderately well off Irish families decided to emigrate to British North America or the United States in order to own their own plot of land. A radical change occurred in the 1840s, however, with the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Up to this point, the island's population had been increasing rapidly and a steady demand over the years for grain crops had depleted soil. Two failed crops and one poor one caused widespread disease and starvation. Thousands boarded ships looking for opportunities elsewhere. North America welcomed them as a source of cheap labor required for the many industrial and infrastructure projects underway, and as a means to quickly occupy the western regions. Research into immigration and passenger ship lists indicates that people bearing the name Anward were among the earliest settlers to arrive in North America: Elizabeth McWard, who arrived in Philadelphia from Londonderry in 1851; William McWard, who settled in Philadelphia in 1860; Anabella Ward, who came to Philadelphia in 1857.
