Surname Horward - Meaning and Origin
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Horward: What does the surname Horward mean?
The last name Horward is thought to be of Old English origin and is derived from the Old English words hoh (hill) and weard (guardian). As a result, this surname is understood to mean "guardian of the hill".
As the Horward family name is believed to have originated in medieval England it is likely to have first been used to describe someone who either lived near or worked on a hill. It is possible that this surname was used to describe a watchman or a shepherd.
In the present day, individuals with the name Horward come from a variety of backgrounds and may be of any nationality. It is also possible, however, given the age of the name, that a person with this name may be descended from families that emigrated to the United States in the late 19th or early 20th centuries.
The Horward surname has likely undergone various spellings over time. These variations may include Harwood, Howward, Hourd, or Horwud for example. Spelling variations such as these, combined with the name's English origin, can help to trace family histories.
In summary, the last name Horward is believed to be of English origin with the literal meaning of “guardian of the hill.” It is likely that individuals with this surname come from a variety of backgrounds, though many may be descended from families that emigrated to the United States in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. The name may also have undergone various spellings over time, making it easier to trace family histories.
Order DNA origin analysisHorward: Where does the name Horward come from?
The last name Horward is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. The surname is of mainly English and Scottish derivation, likely originating as a habitational name from a place called Howard, which is derived from the Old English “hoe” and “weard” which mean refuge or guard.
In the United States, the Horward surname is most strongly concentrated in the central southern region, stretching from Texas to the Carolinas. It is also quite strong throughout the route stretching west from Kansas through Texas and Oklahoma. According to the 2019 US Census, the Horward surname is most commonly found in the states of Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.
Meanwhile, just across the border in Canada, Horward is largely concentrated in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Interestingly, Horward is far more common in Canada than it is in the United States. In terms of the global population, the Horward surname is estimated to be in the upper few hundred thousand.
Outside of the United States and Canada, the Horward surname is not particularly common. It does appear throughout the UK and parts of Europe, but in far smaller numbers than in North America. The Horward name has also made its way to Australia and New Zealand, albeit in much rarer instances.
Variations of the surname Horward
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Horward include Howard, Hooward, Howward, Haward, Hawood, Hayward, Haywood, Howerd, Houward, Heward, Howood, Howoode, Howoods, Houard, Hoord, Howert, Howart, Howartt and Hovard.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin can be found all over the world, including in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Poland, Australia, and various other countries.
The first recorded spelling of Horward was in the 14th century, when Dutch surnames were introduced into Britain. This surname is found in records from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. In America, the first recorded spelling was of James Horward in 1645 in Maryland.
The modern English spelling of this surname, Howard, most likely began as an Americanized spelling of the surname, due to the loss of certain letters and changes in pronunciation.
The surname Howard may have roots in several different words, including hus, meaning “house” or dwellings; hewe, which means “where the hew trees grow”; hierde, referring to a herder; howe indicating a hill; and hod, meaning a “small elevation.”
When tracing the origin of the surname Horward, it is important to note that it, along with the other variants and spellings, may have various origins depending on the geographical location.
Famous people with the name Horward
- John Howard: Former Prime Minister of Australia
- Paul Howard: Irish comedian
- Naomi Howard: Singer-songwriter
- Lisa Howard: Actress and television host
- Ed Howard: Professional baseball player
- Carole Howard: Decorative arts historian
- Jack Howard: English actor
- Lee Howard: Former Montana State Senator
- Christopher Howard: Church of England Bishop
- Drew Howard: Canadian actor
- Alison Howard: American sculptor
- Kay Howard: American photographer
- Hilary Howard: American politicalfigure
- Fraser Howard: English professional footballer
- Baron Howard of Effingham: English courtier and military commander
- George Howard: American jazz composer
- Bea Romano Howard: American opera singer
- Tim Howard: American soccer player
- Murray Howard: Canadian ice hockey player
- T. H. Howard: Canadian politician