| ![Show Contents]() Forward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of ForwardWhat does the name Forward mean? The name Forward has been recorded in British history since the time when the Anglo-Saxons ruled over the region. The name is assumed to have been given to someone who was a swineherd, a person who tended hogs. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English elements for, which meant pig or hog, and weard, which meant guard or watchman. Early Origins of the Forward familyThe surname Forward was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Forward familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forward research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1279 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Forward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Forward Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Forward has been spelled many different ways, including Forward, Forwood, Forewood, Foreward and others. Early Notables of the Forward familyDistinguished members of the family include Forward RankingIn the United States, the name Forward is the 16,944th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Forward is ranked the 549th most popular surname with an estimated 83 people with that name. 2 Migration of the Forward family to IrelandSome of the Forward family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Forward migration to the United States | + |
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Forwards to arrive in North America:
Forward Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Ambrose and Mary Forward who settled in Virginia in 1735 and later moved to Maryland
| Forward migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Forward Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- William A Forward, who arrived in Canada in 1833
| Forward migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Forward Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mr. Andrew Forward, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
- John Forward, aged 23, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Lord Hungerford"
| Forward migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Forward Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Mr. Henry Forward, (b. 1818), aged 45, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 4
- Mrs. Mary Forward, (b. 1818), aged 45, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 4
- Mr. James Forward, (b. 1845), aged 18, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 4
- Miss Emma Forward, (b. 1849), aged 14, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 4
- Mr. Frank Forward, (b. 1853), aged 10, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 4
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Forward (post 1700) | + |
- William Forward (b. 1949), American actor from Santa Monica, California, USA
- Chauncey Forward (1793-1839), American politician, U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, brother of Walter Forward
- Walter Forward (1786-1852), American administrator, 15th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
- Robert L. Forward (1932-2002), American physicist and science fiction writer
- Bob Forward (b. 1958), American film director
- Sir Dudley Forward (1921-2001), English nobleman, who served as equerry to the Duke of Windsor and was a Verderer of the royal New Forest
| Historic Events for the Forward family | + |
- Mr. James Forward, aged 27, English Able Seaman from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 16 5
SS Southern Cross - Mr. Oscar Forward (1887-1914), Newfoundlander from Carbonear who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
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