Dorweard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Early Origins of the Dorweard family

The surname Dorweard was first found in the Valley of the River Dee, where they held a family seat in their territories. The Pictish influence on Scottish history diminished after Kenneth Macalpine became King of all Scotland.

But those east coast families still played an important role in government and were more accessible to Government than their western highland counterparts.

The family name became associated with the de Lundins. Whether the name was an office to which Alan Durward, son of de Lundin, succeeded in 1204, or whether it was a Norman noble, Reiner Dureward from Norfolk who moved north at this time conjectural.

However, Alan married an natural born daughter of King Alexander of Scotland and eventually became Regent and justicair of Scotland. He was immortalized by Walter Scott.

On his death his lands were divided between three daughters.

We do know he was better known by his Latin name at the time, Alanus Ostiarius, Hostiarius, Dyrwart 'Le Usher' and he died in 1268. He was the son of Thomas Ostiarius, who was a benefactor to the monks of Arbroath, and a signatory to at least one charter of Alexander II, dated between 1231 and 1233 A.D. 1

Later several lines descended in Scotland but the name continued to flourish to the south in Essex where Geoffrey Durward was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rols listed Richard Doreward in Essex. 2

Early History of the Dorweard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dorweard research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1465 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Dorweard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dorweard Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. Many spelling variations of Dorweard have been recorded over the years, including Dorward, Dorward, Durwood, Dorwood, Dyrwood, Dyrward, Dirward and many more.

Early Notables of the Dorweard family

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

Migration of the Dorweard family

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Dorweards to arrive in North America: Tho Dorwood, who came to Virginia in 1657.

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)