Contents [hide]

Edwards History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland Australia New Zealand West Indies Canada United States

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Sources

Edwards History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Edwards

What does the name Edwards mean?

The Welsh surname Edwards 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 Edwards family

The surname Edwards 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 Edwards family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edwards 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 Edwards History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edwards Spelling Variations

Compared 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 Edwards name over the years has been spelled Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.

Early Notables of the Edwards family

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 1712
Jonathan Edwards (1615-1681), a Welsh clergyman from Stansty, Denbighshire, a Fellow of Jesus College from 1636 to 1648, Archdeacon of Derry (1664-1679)
Thomas Edwards (1652-1721), a Welsh divine and orientalist

Edwards World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Edwards is the 17^th most popular surname with an estimated 123,074 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Edwards is ranked the 27^th most popular surname with an estimated 49,795 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Edwards is the 18^th popular surname with an estimated 6,160 people with that name. 5 Canada ranks Edwards as 110^th with 26,457 people. 6 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Edwards as 228^th with 191 people. 7 The United States ranks Edwards as 49^th with 340,719 people. 8 South Africa ranks Edwards as 726^th with 9,444 people. 9

Migration of the Edwards family to Ireland

Some of the Edwards family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 235 words (17 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edwards migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Daniel Edwards, (b. 1769), aged 20, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Mr. Daniel Edwards, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Miss Jane Edwards, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Mr. Samuel Edwards, British settler convicted in Worcestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Mr. Thomas Edwards, (d. 1790), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Second Fleet

Mr. Edward Edwards, (d. 1798), British settler convicted in Lancashire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mr. Francis Edwards, British settler convicted in Dorset, England in 1789, sentenced to Life for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mr. Joseph Edwards, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mrs. Catherine Edwards, (1763 - 1818), aged 27, Irish settler convicted in Dublin, Ireland in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Queen" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Miss Mary Ann Edwards, (1766 - 1833), aged 24, British settler convicted in Herefordshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing clothes, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11

Third Fleet

Mr. William Edwards, (b. 1753), aged 34, English settler convicted in London on 15th January 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Edwards Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Margaret Edwards, (b. 1782), aged 16, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1846 11
Miss Martha Edwards, (b. 1774), aged 24, English house servant who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1846 11

Edwards Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Elizabeth Edwards, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. James Edwards, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Mary Edwards, British Convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Ms. Harriot Edwards, (b. 1782), aged 18, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 22nd March 1790, sentenced for life for stealing silver tea tongs, 6 gowns, and other goods, transported aboard the ship "Minorca" in June 1801 to New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Thomas Edwards, (b. 1767), aged 34, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards 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:

Edwards Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Edwards, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Robert Edwards, who landed in Ohiro, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. Edwards, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 15
Mrs. Edwards, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 15
Child Edwards, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

William Edwards, aged 25, a bricklayer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Edwards 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. 16

Edwards Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Robert Edwards, aged 38, who arrived in Barbados in 1635 17
Mr. Robert Edwards, (b. 1587), aged 48, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 18
Abraham Edwards, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Edwards migration to Canada +

Edwards Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Joseph Edwards, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Joseph Edwards, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Edwards, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Joseph Edwards U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 179 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 19
Mrs. Mary Edwards U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 327 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Samuel Edwards, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
Betty Edwards, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
James G Edwards, who arrived in Canada in 1834
Mr. George Edwards, aged 32 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died on Grosse Isle on 29th June 1847 20
Mr. Henry Edwards, aged 24 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Charles Richard" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

I C Edwards, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Edwards migration to the United States +

Edwards Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Edwards, who landed in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "George" 17
Arthur Edwards, who landed in Virginia in 1622 17
William Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 17
John Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 17
Richard Edwards, aged 23 who landed in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Jacob" 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anne Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 17
Eliza Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 17
Walter Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 17
Benja Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 17
Hannah Edwards, who landed in Virginia in 1703 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

David J Edwards, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 17
G Edwards, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 17
Edward Henry Edwards, aged 23, who landed in Ohio in 1812 17
Hayden Edwards, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1813 17
Haden Edwards, aged 16, who landed in Texas in 1829 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. James Edwards, (b. 1876), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th March 1900 en route to Wakefield, Michigan, USA 21
Mr. William Charles Edwards, (b. 1865), aged 35, Cornish fireman travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th September 1900 en route to Cleveland, Ohio, USA 21
Mr. Samuel R. Edwards, (b. 1825), aged 76, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Cymric" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th September 1901 en route to New York, USA 21
Mr. Richard Edwards, (b. 1873), aged 30, Cornish carpenter travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th June 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 21
Mr. John Edwards, (b. 1875), aged 28, English carpenter travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th June 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Edwards (post 1700) +

Trevor Edwards (1937-2024), Welsh footballer, member of the Wales squad for the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden
David Rupert Edwards (1964-2021), Welsh musician, singer and writer, best known as the lead singer of the Welsh language post-punk/experimental band Datblygu
Tom Edwards (1945-2025), British radio presenter and television announcer, best known for his work on offshore pirate radio stations Radio City and Radio Caroline in the 1960s, later career with BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, and various television networks, including Thames Television, ATV, and HTV West
Richard Thomas "Dick" Edwards (1942-2025), English professional footballer who played as a central defender
Jackie Edwards (1939-2025), English rugby league footballer who played over 200 matches as a scrum-half for Warrington between 1955 and 1964
Marshall Lynn Edwards (1952-2025), former professional baseball outfielder, played three seasons in the major leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers (1981-1983)
Jonathan "John" Edwards (1944-2025), professionally known as John Edwards, was an American soul singer, lead singer of the Spinners between 1977 and 2000
Alice E. Edwards (1920-6888), American lieutenant in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Eva Edwards (2000-2017), Canadian actress known for the Good Doctor (2017)
... (Another 64 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Edwards family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Miss Elizabeth Jane Edwards (1949-1979), British teacher on exchange to Naenae University, Lower Hutt, North Island, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 22
Ms. Edna Miriam Edwards (d. 1979), New Zealander passenger, from Ponsonby, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 23
Mr. George Edwards (d. 1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Mr. Christopher Edwards (1870-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Broadview, Saskatchewan, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24
Mr. Daryl Edwards (1955-1996), aged 41, from Jersey City, New Jersey, USA, American off-duty TWA employee flying aboard Flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; he died in the crash 24
... (Another 55 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
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)
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 27)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm