Surname Edwardes - Meaning and Origin
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Edwardes: What does the surname Edwardes mean?
The surname Edwardes, pronounced as "Edwards", is of Old English origin, dating back to the pre-7th century. It is a patronymic derivative of the personal name Edward, composed of the elements "ead", translated to prosperity or wealth, and "weard", which means guard. Therefore, the combined name Edward signifies "prosperity guard". The Edwardes surname usually implies "son of Edward" or "descendant of Edward". Over the years, the surname has also been recorded in different forms such as Edward, Edwardes, Edwards, and Eduards due to phonetic spellings. Notably, the names Edwardes and Edwards are more predominant in Wales and the bordering English counties.
Order DNA origin analysisEdwardes: Where does the name Edwardes come from?
The surname Edwardes is primarily of Welsh origin, derived from the personal name Edward. In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the forenames of men were commonly converted into surnames when the population began to grow, leading to a need for more individual surnames. So, Edwardes means "son of Edward".
The surname Edwardes was first found in Denbighshire, a historic county in Northeast Wales, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Over the centuries, it spread across the United Kingdom and then emigrated to various English-speaking countries around the world.
Today, the surname Edwardes is relatively uncommon and it is scattered somewhat evenly around the world, but is slightly more concentrated in England and Wales, keeping with its roots. Wales, in particular, carries a majority of individuals bearing the Edwardes last name. Other regions where individuals with the family name Edwardes can be found include the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa, reflecting the broader movements of the Welsh and English diaspora.
Variations of the surname Edwardes
The surname Edwardes has multiple variations and derivations, primarily originating from the given name Edward, which is of Old English origin, meaning "prosperous guardian". Its most common variant in the English language is Edwards, which indicates "son of Edward".
Other versions and misspellings might include Edward, Edwardson, Edwardy, Edwardez, Edwuardes, and Edduardes. The surname can also appear with a prefix such as "Mac," as in MacEdward or McEdward, typical in Scotland and Ireland, suggesting "son of Edward".
In terms of similar surnames from the same linguistic root, we could point out Eadweard, a direct Old English precursor of Edward. Moreover, in Wales, the associated patronymic form could be ap Edward or ap Edwart.
However, it should be noticed that variants can be influenced by several factors such as regional dialects, phonetic spellings, or even translations into other languages. Therefore, the exact number of variations might significantly grow when considering Edwardes' translations in various languages like Eduardo (Spanish), Eduard (German), Edoardo (Italian), Eduardo (Portuguese), and Édouard (French).
Famous people with the name Edwardes
- Herbert Benjamin Edwardes: A British administrator, soldier, and statesman active in Punjab, India. His military service earned him the nickname "Hero of Multan". He also authored a book titled "A Year on the Punjab Frontier in 1848–49".
- Michael Edwardes: A famous British-South African businessman who served as the chairman of British Leyland. Under his leadership, major restructurings were made in the company that led to an improvement in its profitability.
- Jack Edwardes: A British comedian and pantomime dame, renowned for his appearances in Britain's seaside resorts.
- Jinnie Edwardes: A British author known for her many popular novels including "Golden Cockatrice", "The Marrying Kind", and "The Cockatrice Scales".
- Verity Edwardes: An actress, primarily known for her roles in the 1958 movie, "Violent Moment" and the series 'ITV Play of The Week'.
- Betty Edwardes: An English romance novelist from the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Her novels typically featured strong, independent heroines.
- Sheila Mary Fraser Edwardes: An English author popular for her books about gardening and cookery. She was also an exceptional flower photographer.
- Julie Kate Edwardes: An American stage actress best known for her work in musical theater. She appeared in popular Broadway shows such as "Anything Goes" and "Wonderful Town".