Surname Aylward - Meaning and Origin

Aylward: What does the surname Aylward mean?

The last name Aylward is of Anglo Saxon origin and is believed to have originated in either Normandy, or England. It is a locational name from several places called Aylward, which include Little Aylward in Herefordshire and Long Aylward near Stow on the Wold in Gloucestershire. The name is derived from the old Celtic personal name Aedwald, meaning "heir of the forest".

The main focus of the Aylward surname was the family seat at Old Ward Hall in Northampton, England. This Hall is believed to have been built in the 15th century and to have been the ancestral home of the Aylward family for generations.

The Aylward family has been further identified by the coat of arms which appears on records as far back as the 15th century. The arms feature three boars heads with the family motto, "Audaces Fortuna Juvat" which translates to mean "fortune favours the bold". The crest is a lion rampant holding an arrow in its paws.

Over the years, members of the Aylward family have included Sir William Aylward, who was knighted for his brave performance in the battle of Blackheath in 1497. This event was also the basis for Sir Walter Scott's character, Bold Sir John Aylward, in his novel Ivanhoe. Also, Thomas Aylward, a leading engineer in the early 1900s, is credited with pioneering the design of the powder-loading machine gun.

In the 21st century, the Aylward family continues to extend its roots and grow. Today, the name is used as both a first and a last name and can be found all over the world.

Aylward: Where does the name Aylward come from?

The last name Aylward is most commonly found in North America and Europe. In the United States, the highest number of recorded Aylward family members can be found in California, followed by Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey. In Canada, the most prominent concentration is in British Columbia and Ontario.

In Europe, Aylward is particularly prominent in the United Kingdom, where it saw a surge in popularity during the 19th century. Today, the majority of Aylwards in the UK can be found in Greater London and Essex. Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have a far smaller population of Aylwards, though still significant. The name is also common in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Russia.

The name itself likely has its roots in Old English and Scandinavian cultures, though the specific origin is unclear. The name is often believed to be derived from the Old English phrase "Ealdhalewarde," itself meaning "guardian of the elders." It may also be connected to the Old Norse name "Aubarði," referring to someone living by an apple tree, or an Old Norse patronymic name meaning "son of Aulli."

Variations of the surname Aylward

The surname Aylward is an anglicized form of the old Irish name Ó hAodhagáin or Ó hEodhasáin. It is derived from the Gaelic elements "aodh", meaning "fire" and "og" or "gáin", meaning "youth" or “nobleman”. It is a fairly common Irish surname, with variants of it being found in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The most commonly encountered variant of the Aylward surname is Aylward, although some families may have changed the spelling over time, resulting in a variety of different spellings. These variations include Ailliard, Ailward, Allward, Alleyard, Allwarden, Aylardon, Ayleward, Ellard, Elward, Ollard, Ollward, Oylard, Oyllard, Yelward, Yellard, Yilliard and Yolard.

Those bearing the Aylward surname may also find themselves sharing the same sense of heritage with a variety of different family names, which may have originated from either a common ancestor or a variant of the original surname. These include Ailworthe, Aylworth, Elwoord, Hilworth, Hillocked, Hillwark, Oylword, Oylwoorde, Oylworthe, Yellworth and Yilloword.

Famous people with the name Aylward

• Sister Mary Bernard Aylward: a Catholic nun and founder of Indian Red Cross in India, known for her work in public health.
• David Aylward: expert in health system strengthening and the use of digital technologies for health systems solutions.
• Graham Aylward: Irish painter and sculptor known for his public sculptures.
• Ernestine Aylward: American journalist, author, and editor.
• Freddie Aylward: English actor, best known for roles in the action and adventure films of the 1950s.
• Wilfred Noyce Aylward: British officer, recipient of the Victoria Cross for bravery in WW1.
• Geoffrey Aylward: Australian footballer who played in the AFL.
• Gerry Aylward: Australian rally driver, who made an appearance at the Monte Carlo Rally.
• Peter Aylward: Australian cricketer and member of the Brisbane Heat team.
• Brian Aylward: Canadian jazz saxophonist and composer.
• John Aylward: American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Benton on ER.
• Mary Lou Aylward: American stage and film star.
• Anne Aylward: Canadian opera singer, dancer, and actress.
• Ciaran Aylward: Irish filmmaker, director, and screenwriter.
• Jimmy Aylward: Irish-American boxer of the 1920s.

Other surnames

Aylwards