Show ContentsDorward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Dorward

What does the name Dorward mean?

Dorward comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a door attendant. The name is also a nickname type of surname derived from the Old English word deore, which means "beloved", and "man"

Early Origins of the Dorward family

The surname Dorward was first found in Fife, the name Dorman is derived from the word door-ward. This official hereditary position involved being the door attendant to the King of Scotland. The office of door-ward to the king was a very honorable one and was passed on in the powerful family of de Lundin Fife. The first who took his name from this office was Thomas de Lundyn in 1204. His son, Alan Durward, was one of the greatest names in Scottish history in the thirteenth century. 1

Early History of the Dorward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dorward research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1228, 1452, 1478, 1511, 1572, 1636 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Dorward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dorward Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Dorward include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include Dorman, Dorward, Doorman, Durward and others.

Early Notables of the Dorward family

Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dorward Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dorward family to Ireland

Some of the Dorward family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Dorward migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Dorward family emigrate to North America:

Dorward Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Wm. Dorward, aged 30, who immigrated to America from Dundee, in 1905
  • Charles dorward, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States from Dundee, in 1907
  • Frank T. Dorward, aged 32, who landed in America from Arbroath, Scotland, in 1909
  • Helen Dorward, aged 37, who landed in America from Dundee, Scotland, in 1910
  • Crawford Dorward, aged 42, who settled in America from Letharn, Scotland, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Dorward (post 1700) +

  • Arthur Dorward (1925-2015), Scottish international rugby union player, brother of Tom or Tommy Dorward
  • Thomas "Tommy" Fairgrieve Dorward (1916-1941), Scottish international rugby union player
  • Major-General Sir Arthur Robert Ford Dorward KCB DSO (1848-1934), British Army officer who commanded the Troops in the Straits Settlements
  • Nigel Dorward (b. 1966), Zimbabwean cricketer
  • David C. Dorward (b. 1952), Canadian politician in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta


  1. 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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