Contents [hide]

Edward History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Edward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Wales
Ireland

The Edward surname is derived from the old English word "Eadweard" which means "prosperity guard." [1] Prior to the Norman Conquest of England, Edward was a common personal name; its popularity probably due to the fact that Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) had been the Patron Saint of England before Saint George.

Early Origins of the Edward family

The surname Edward was first found in Wiltshire where Edward of Salisbury, also known as Edward the Sheriff (of Wiltshire) held land at the time of the Domesday Survey. He was an ancestor of Earls of Salisbury.

The name appeared as Eaduuardus, Eduuardus, Eduuard in the Domesday Book. [2]

Kirby's Quest of Somerset listed William Edward in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) [3] The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Adam Edward; Willelmus Edward, taylour; and Ricardus Edward. [4]

Early History of the Edward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edward research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1219, 1279, 1283, 1597, 1582, 1658, 1615, 1637, 1523, 1540, 1547, 1563, 1576, 1711, 1801, 1471, 1678 and are included under the topic Early Edward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edward 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 Edward 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 Edward include: Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.

Early Notables of the Edward family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Humphrey Edwards (1582-1658), one of the regicides of King Charles I of England, attended Shrewsbury School in 1615, appointed a gentleman to King Charles I of England in 1637. Richard Edwardes, a native of Somersetshire, born in 1523. He was educated under George Etheridge, 'one of the most excellent vocal and instrumental musicians in England' -of whom however nothing more is known. On May 11, 1540, he was admitted a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In 1547, on the foundation of Christ Church College, he became a student there, and in the...
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Edward Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edward Ranking

In the United States, the name Edward is the 2,888^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. [5]

Migration of the Edward family to Ireland

Some of the Edward family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edward 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 Edward or a variant listed above:

Edward Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Ould Edward who arrived at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 aboard the ship "Discovery"
Walter Edward, who landed in Virginia in 1648 [6]
John Edward, who arrived in America in 1654-1679 [6]
Seath Edward, who arrived in Virginia in 1661 [6]
Tho Edward, who arrived in Virginia in 1666 [6]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edward Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Edward, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 [6]
Catherine Edward, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1709 [6]
Arthur Edward, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1710 [6]
Richard Edward, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1710 [6]

Edward Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel Edward, who landed in New York in 1812 [6]
Thomas Edward, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1830 [6]
William Henry Edward, who arrived in New York in 1842 [6]
James, Edward Jr., who landed in New York in 1842 [6]
Magdalena Allardice Edward, who landed in New York in 1842 [6]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edward migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Edward Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Rose Edward, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
Jane Edward, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
Mary Edward, aged 23, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland

Edward migration to Australia +

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

Edward Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Edward Harris, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [7]
Mr. Edward Haxall, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [7]
Mr. Edward Lindsey, (b. 1765), aged 32, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1818 [7]
Mr. Edward Millington, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [7]
Mr. Edward Moreton, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [7]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edward Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Edward Denby, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [8]
Mr. Edward Evans, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [8]
Mr. Edward Footman, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [8]
Mr. Edward Groves, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [8]
Mr. Edward Miller, (Rummens), English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [8]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edward 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:

Edward Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James Edward, (b. 1831), aged 28, British farm servant travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Regina" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th December 1859 [9]
Mrs. Janet Edward, (b. 1831), aged 28, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Regina" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th December 1859 [9]
Mr. James Edward, Scottish settler travelling from Clyde aboard the ship "Sir William Eyre" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand in April 1863 [9]
Henry W. Edward, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Portland" in 1864
Charles Edward, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edward migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [10]

Edward Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Richard Edward, who settled in St. Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1633
Mr. Richard Edward, Cornish settler from St Columb Major (St Vivian), Cornwall, (b. 1606), aged 28, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 [11]

Contemporary Notables of the name Edward (post 1700) +

Robert Edward III, American businessman, philanthropist, and yachtsman, founder of CNN television in 1980
Donald Edward, American cartoonist for "Mad" magazine
Nelson T. Edward, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1936 [12]
J. C. Edward, American politician, Mayor of Texarkana, Arkansas, 1894-96 [12]
Lincoln Edward Kirstein (1907-1996), American writer, impresario, art connoisseur and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Robert Edward Lee (1807-1870), American and Confederate soldier, best known as a commander of the Confederate States Army
Howard Edward Butt Sr. (1895-1991), American businessman and philanthropist, founder of the HEB grocery store chain
Michael Edward Lonsdale Crouch (1931-2020), known as Michael Lonsdale, French actor who appeared in over 180 films and television shows, known for his roles as the villain Hugo, Drax in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker, the detective Claude Lebel in The Day of the Jackal, and M. Dupont d'Ivry in The Remains of the Day
George Edward Foreman (b. 1949), American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and successful entrepreneur
Mark Edward Loane AM (b. 1954), Australian former rugby union football player, who played 89 games for Queensland and 28 Tests for the Wallabies

Historic Events for the Edward family +

RMS Titanic

Mr. John Samuel Edward, aged 27, Belarusians First Class passenger from Minsk, Belarus who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 5 [13]

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)
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.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Cornish in the Caribbean (retrieved on 23rd September 2021). Retrieved from https://books.google.ca/books?id=gnSFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA265&lpg=PA265&dq=wallen+lizard+cornwall&source=bl&ots=ARTnm6uRLv&sig=ACfU3U3ewicUaBkTuwC_Gpr0ic-
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html