Edwearde History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of EdweardeWhat does the name Edwearde mean? The Welsh surname Edwearde was derived from the personal name Edward. This name is in turn derived from the Old English forename "Eadweard," which literally means "prosperity-guard." 1 Early Origins of the Edwearde familyThe surname Edwearde was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. They claim descent from Einion Efell, Lord of Cynlleth, living in 1182, son of Madoc, Prince of Powys, who built Oswestry Castle in 1148. His father was Madog ap Maredudd who died in 1160 and was the last Prince of the entire Kingdom of Powys, Wales. "Edwards of Nanhoron descends from one of the royal tribes of Wales through Sir Griffith Lloyd and Sir Howell y Fwyallt; Edwards of Ness Strange descends from Einion Effel, lord of Cynllaeth, co. Montgomery, 1182; Edwards of Old-Court, co. Wicklow, claims from Roderick the Great, king of all Wales in 843, through his younger son, Tudwall Gloff or "the lame," whose descendants settled in Ireland in the XVII. century." 2 Early History of the Edwearde familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edwearde research. Another 202 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1283, 1396, 1597, 1605, 1615, 1620, 1629, 1636, 1648, 1652, 1656, 1664, 1679, 1681, 1686, 1712, 1721, 1751, 1776, 1784, 1808, 1815, 1832 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Edwearde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Edwearde Spelling VariationsCompared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Edwearde name over the years has been spelled Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others. Early Notables of the Edwearde familyProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was John Edwards (c.1605-1656), a Welsh Anglican priest and translator; Jonathan Edwards (1629-1712), Welsh theologian and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford from 1686 to... Migration of the Edwearde family to IrelandSome of the Edwearde family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Edwearde familyMany people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Edwearde: Old Edward who arrived at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607; John Edward who settled in Virginia in 1699; Richard Edward, who settled in St. Christopher in 1633.
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