Surname Henward - Meaning and Origin
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Henward: What does the surname Henward mean?
The last name Henward is of English origin and comes from an old personal name “Hengold,” which is derived from the Old English “hengest,” meaning “stallion.” This personal name was later assimilated into “Heneward,” which then was passed down from father to son. Henward typically appears in records from the late 13th century and is a locational name, rather than indicating a specific place of origin.
The name can be found throughout England, Wales, Scotland, as well as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. While the origin of the name is mostly English, it can also be found in countries with a substantial English heritage such as South Africa.
The Henward family could be described as people who often took on leadership roles, as the name was often assigned to those of higher power, whether that be in the workplace or in social circles. Activities such as farming, governing or being a part of the military were activities often attributed to the Henwards.
Today, the Henward name has a strong sense of legacy and ties with the family's deep history and culture, which is spread out across the world. It is a name packed with strength, resilience and courage - values that remain to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisHenward: Where does the name Henward come from?
The last name Henward is primarily found in the United Kingdom. It has a relatively low frequency there, being ranked at 498,899th in the list of most common British surnames.
The origins of the Henward name are unclear, but it likely derives from a location on England’s east coast, such as a village of the same name in the county of Norfolk. The earliest record of the Henward name dates back to the 12th century, when two brothers, Thomas and William, held land in the village of Lenardby in Yorkshire.
Today, Henward is not a particularly common last name in the United Kingdom. According to the 2019 edition of the International Genealogical Index (IGI), fewer than 3,000 individuals worldwide bear the name today.
The name Henward is, however, much more common outside of the United Kingdom. It is found with greater frequency in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The earliest record of a Henward living in this region can be traced back to 1392, when Heinrich von Hendenwald is mentioned in a court record in Suttgart, Germany.
Henward is also found today in some parts of the United States. In the US, the name is relatively uncommon, but it is present in small numbers in states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio, with the earliest Henward American recorded as John Henward, a 19th century immigrant from Germany who experienced the hardships of the American Revolution.
In short, the last name Henward is primarily found in the United Kingdom, but can also be located in a small number of other countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the United States.
Variations of the surname Henward
Henward is a surname of English origin. It is an occupational surname referring to someone who tended to hens. Variants of the name include Henwards and Henwood. Alternate spellings include Hendward, Hendwood, Handward, and Handwood.
Derivatives of the Henward surname can also be found in other languages. An example of a variant of the name in German is Henkert, which means “hen keeper.” Another German variant is Hahnwehr, which is derived from hanwehr, meaning “hen wall.”
In Russia, the Henward surname can be found as the patronymic name Gagneva, which is derived from the Old Slavic Ganev, meaning “hen keeper.” The Latvian form of the name is Ganevs, while in Hungary it is Henkercz.
In Scotland, the Henward surname also exists in the form of Hendrie and Hendry. The Hendrie spelling of the name can be traced back to ancient times when the Scottish language began to be spoken.
Other forms of the Henward surname throughout Europe include Henkert (Germany), Ganevs ( Latvia), Henkercz (Hungary), and Heinsman ( Netherlands). In France, the Henward surname exists in either the Heintzman or Heinsmann form.
Although it is uncertain whether all variants of the Henward stem from the same origin, the vast number of surnames related to hen keeping suggest some common source for the Henward name. It is probable that its origin dates back to medieval times far before the Norman Conquest of England.
Famous people with the name Henward
- Stephen Hendry: snooker champion who has Won seven World Championships, a record-breaking 36 consecutive professional tournament wins and 170 professional titles in total
- Ella Henderson: singer-songwriter who rose to fame after appearing on the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012
- Della Reese: singer and actress who is best known for her role on Touched by an Angel as Tess, an angel sent from heaven
- Edward Henward: American painter associated with the Hudson River School painting movement
- Elli Henward: Estonian singer and songwriter
- Maverick Henward: Argentinean footballer who plays for Club Atlético Tigre
- Robin Henward: American basketball player
- Steve Henward: English athlete who represented Great Britain at both the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics
- Jon Henward: English footballer who plays for PEC Zwolle in the Dutch Eredivisie
- Andrew Henward: English rugby union player who has represented England at international level