Surname MacWard - Meaning and Origin
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MacWard: What does the surname MacWard mean?
The last name MacWard is a combination of two Gaelic words: Mac, meaning “son of,” and Ward, an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac an Bhaird. The name Mac an Bhaird is composed of two elements: Mac, which indicates a descendent of a particular ancestor, and Bhaird, meaning “bard,” or poet.
Although the full name MacWard can trace it's origins to dressing up the Gaelic names of old, the surname itself has many modern interpretations. In the US it has become an anglicized form of the Gaelic name McVard, or Mac an Bhaird. It is also a modified form of Macard, which is believed to be of Irish and Scottish origin.
The family MacWard has a long and interesting history. On the one hand, the name is a badge of honor that indicates a line of poetic bards. On the other hand, it can also express simple ties of familial connection and genealogy. The MacWard surname can stand for many different aspects of a family’s identity, depending on how it is interpreted, from respect for one’s ancestors to a means of distinguishing a clan.
No matter how you interpret the name MacWard, it carries a distinct pride and honor associated with its origin story. It serves as a reminder that families and ancestral lines should be respected and celebrated. And, it is especially appropriate for those who embrace their Gaelic heritage or those with familial ties to the MacWard family.
Order DNA origin analysisMacWard: Where does the name MacWard come from?
The last name MacWard is most common in the United Kingdom, specifically the lowlands of Scotland. It is primarily concentrated in the northern counties of Aberdeenshire and Moray in Aberdeenshire, where it is the 45th most common surname. Other popular locations include Roxburghshire in the Scottish Borders along with Perthshire and Angus in east-central Scotland.
Outside the UK the last name is also prevalent in parts of Canada and Australia, particularly the states of New South Wales and Queensland. In the United States, support for the name is particularly centered around the state of Massachusetts, followed to a lesser extent in New York and Pennsylvania.
The name MacWard is believed to be of Scottish-Irish origin believed to derive from the Gaelic personal name 'Mac Giolla Bhuídhe' meaning 'son of a yellow-haired boy'. It is thought the family were originally descended from a William MacGiolla Bhuídhe who settled in the northern highlands of Scotland in the 10th century.
Despite its origins the name has archetypal Scottish characteristics and is perhaps most strongly linked to the British Isles, the place where its greatest concentrations can still be found.
Variations of the surname MacWard
MacWard is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin, stemming from the Irish Mac an Bhaird meaning “son of the bard”. It is a patronymic surname, deriven from the name of an ancestor of the family. There are varied spellings and variants of this surname, including MacWarde, MacWerth, McKerth, MacWardie and MacWardy.
The MacWard surname has been in Ireland since ancient times. It can be found in records in counties such as Limerick, Cork, and Galway as early as the 12th century. The earliest known record of the surname was of Phillip MacWarde, who was admitted to Trinity College Dublin in 1492.
The most common variations of MacWard include MacWarde and MacWerth. MacWarde is the traditional spelling of the surname, while MacWerth is a later variation. Both versions are still relatively common in Ireland.
The MacWard name can also be found across Scotland, England, and North America, where it is often spelled McKerth, MacWardie, or MacWardy. Records indicate that the name has been present in the United Kingdom since at least the 16th century.
The MacWard name has been associated with many notable figures over the centuries, including poet William MacWard (born in Dublin in 1888), Army Lt. Willem MacWard (born in Northumberland in 1913), and Sen. John MacWard (born in Connecticut in 1890).
Despite its long association with Ireland, Mac Ward is still a relatively rare surname. In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in Irish surnames, so it is possible that its popularity will continue to grow in the coming years.
Famous people with the name MacWard
- Robin MacWard: television producer, author and theatre director.
- Craig MacWard: professional snowboarder.
- Joey MacWard: professional BMX rider and stuntman.
- Derek MacWard: actor in film and television.
- Colin MacWard: Scottish rugby player.
- Steven MacWard: Irish actor.
- Jimmy MacWard: professional hockey player.
- Peter MacWard: Scottish footballer.
- Tim MacWard: artist, musician, and composer.
- Ainsley MacWard: Canadian musician.
- Anderson MacWard: American poet.
- Miles MacWard: Scottish actor.
- Emma MacWard: Canadian dancer and model.
- John MacWard: American author.
- Toby MacWard: British film editor.
- Patrick MacWard: American television host.
- Danielle MacWard: Australian radio personality.
- Wendy MacWard: Canadian singer-songwriter.
- Dante MacWard: Canadian voice actor.
- Louis MacWard: English actor.