Surname Siward - Meaning and Origin
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Siward: What does the surname Siward mean?
The last name Siward is most commonly found throughout England and the United States of America, but is found in small numbers all over Europe. This surname has a history that dates back to medieval England, when surnames first began to be recorded. Siward is thought to be derived from the old Scandinavian given name Sigvard, meaning “victory and protection”. This indicates that the family may have a history of employing superior military tactics or protecting a wealth of land or resources.
In Germany and Scandinavia, the surname is sometimes found as Sigvardson, derived from the same origin. Elsewhere in Europe, the name may be spelled Siegward or Siguaard, both of which are variations of the same origin. In English language records, Siward generally appears as a single surname.
Through centuries of migration, the name now appears in many forms. Notably, Siward entered the United States amongst later waves of colonial immigrants and is now prevalent in the east coast of the US and in the midwestern states.
The name Siward is still popular amongst modern families who carry the name. Its meaning as a symbol of protection and victory remains a source of pride for many, and is a reminder of the many past generations who successfully defended their families and land.
Order DNA origin analysisSiward: Where does the name Siward come from?
The surname Siward is most prevalent today in England, Scotland, and the United States. The surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and records indicate that the original Siward line culminated with Siward Barn, who lived in 1602.
In England, the Siward name is most common in Kent and Surrey. Records of the name span back in these counties, starting with John Siward in Engleton, Kent in 1369, and John Siward in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Surrey.
The Siward name is also Found in Scotland, especially in the northeast Scotland region. Records of the name in Scotland can be traced back to the 13th century when John St. Sylir Siward settled lands there in 1296.
The United States has also seen a significant population of Siward Immigration, beginning as early as the 17th century. The earliest records can be traced back to John Siward, who immigrated to Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony from England in 1630.
Today, the Siward name is most commonly found in England, Scotland and the United States. It is enjoyed by many individuals and families across a variety of countries around the world and has stood the test of time as a distinguished surname.
Variations of the surname Siward
The surname Siward is derived from the Viking known as Sigurd or Sivard. This name is found in varying spellings including Siward, Sigward, Sigurd, Seevert, Seaward, Siewert, Sievert, Seward, Seawright, Seawrite, Siewright, and Syward.
Siward is an English surname most commonly recorded in the counties of: Lancashire, Yorkshire and Durham. It has long been associated with the area referring to the Viking invasion of British Isles.
The original form of Siward was Sigwarth, most likely derived from the Old Norse Sigvarðr, which is composed of the elements sig (victory) and varðr (guardian).
Siward was later anglicised in the 13th century and is recorded as Sieward in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379. Other Norman forms of the surname include Seward, Seawright and Syward.
Siwards can also be found in Germany where the name was spelled Sievert. For example, Hans Sievert was born circa 1490 in Weidenau, Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia.
The influence of the Danish and Norwegian Vikings on the British Isles is reflected in the form of the surname Siward. It is most likely that bearers of this name speak English as their first language.
Famous people with the name Siward
- Siward Digri: He was an 11th-century Earldorman of the English Midlands region.
- Siward de Cahaignes: A Norman nobleman and military leader who fought alongside William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
- Siward, Earl of Northumbria: He was an Earl of Northumbria in Anglo-Saxon England during the 11th century.
- Siward Barn: He was a 15th-century English Baron.
- Siward of Holmby: He was a Bishop of London in the 12th century.
- Siward Ulfson: He was a Danish prince and Earl of Northumbria from 1016 to 1025 AD.
- Siward Balliol: He was a 13th-century Scottish nobleman.
- Siward Vescy: He was an English Baron in the 13th century.
- Siward Fryxell: He was a Swedish priest and later acting Bishop of Västerås from 1812 to 1818.
- Siward Beorn: He was a Saxon earl in the 11th century and a commander of the Danish army in England.