Many people want to learn more about their family history as it provides them with a deeper sense of personal identity. Discovering the meaning of their family name and what their ancestors did allows them to connect with their family and find other living relatives. Additionally, it can even provide insight into certain family conditions or medical history. In this article, we will be discussing the family name Ward. Also, we will uncover what it means, its history, and so much more.
The Meaning and Origin of the Ward Family Name
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The Ward family name is of both English and Irish descent. With regards to English descent, Ward was a common occupational name for a watchman. The Middle English word ‘ward' meant “watchman guard” or the Old English word ‘weard', which meant “watching, guarding.” Furthermore, concerning Irish descent, the name Ward was shortened from the name McWard which means “son of the poet.” The surname Ward is most likely found in the United States, England, and Ireland.
History of the Ward Family Name
The surname Ward was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, Ireland, and Scotland between the years 1840 and 1920, although the majority of the Ward families were found in the United Kingdom. In the United States, most Ward families were found in New York. The Ward family had a shorter lifespan than the general population in 1940. This could indicate that Ward's ancestors lived in harsh conditions or had family health problems that were passed down through generations.
In the past, men and women often performed very different jobs. In 1921, the three top jobs for males with the surname Ward were agricultural laborer, coal miner, and general laborer. For women in 1921, the top three jobs were dressmaker, domestic servant, and laundress. Their roles slightly changed in later years during the 1940s. For men, the top three jobs then were laborer, farmer, and salesman. For women, the top three jobs were, maid, housekeeper, and teacher.
Variations of the Ward Family Name
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Ward is not the only spelling of this family name. Below are some common spelling variations of the Ward family name:
- Warde
- Warden
- Wardman
- Wordman
- Wards
- Wardle
- Wardlow
- Wardale
- MacWard
- McWard
- Macanward
- MacCanward
- MacAward
Interesting Facts About the Ward Family Name
- Ward is the 32nd most common surname in the UK.
- The lifespan of a Ward family member has dramatically improved since 1940. In 1940 the average life expectancy for the Ward family was 29, in 2004 it increased to 73.
- According to data from Find My Past, people with the last name Ward are most likely to marry Smiths and Browns.
- In the United States, Ward is the 66th most popular surname.
- The most common first names for someone with the surname Ward are John, William, Mary, and Elizabeth.
Famous People With the Ward Family Name
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- Freddie Joe Ward — American actor and producer
- Kevin Michale Ward — American Major League Baseball player
- Artemas Ward — American general in the American Revolution, later served in the U.S. Congress
- Danielle Ward — British comedian and writer
- Denzel Ward — American football player
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