Contents [hide]

Ward History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies South Africa

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Ward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Ward

What does the name Ward mean?

The ancient Gaelic form of the Irish name Ward was Mac an Bhaird, which means son of the bard.

Early Origins of the Ward family

The surname Ward was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Ward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ward research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1749 and 1794 are included under the topic Early Ward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ward Spelling Variations

Throughout the early history of this name, spellings of the surname in various records changed frequently largely due to the recorder's interpretation of how the name sounded at the time of the entry. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Ward family name include MacWard, McWard, Macanward, MacCanward, MacAward and many more.

Early Notables of the Ward family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was

General Thomas Ward (1749-1794), an Irishman, who served in the French Army, and died at guillotine

Ward World Ranking

In the United States, the name Ward is the 66^th most popular surname with an estimated 268,596 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Ward is ranked the 131^st most popular surname with an estimated 24,337 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Ward is the 400^th popular surname with an estimated 117 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Ward as 54^th with 37,551 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Ward as 48^th with 5,351 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Ward as 34^th with 99,337 people. 6

Ward migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the late 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape such hunger and disease. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Ward:

Ward Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. John Ward, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Elizabeth" in 1621 7
Mr. Thomas Ward, aged 47, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Warwick" 7
Andrew Ward, who settled in New England in 1630
Mr. John Ward, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 8
Miss Eliza Ward, aged 38, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ward Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Francis Ward, who landed in Virginia in 1702 9
Christopher Ward, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 9
Ann Ward, who landed in Georgia in 1738 9

Ward Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Ward, aged 19, who landed in America in 1812 9
Godfrey Ward, aged 42, who landed in New York in 1812 9
Hugh Ward, aged 21, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 9
Abel Ward, who arrived in New York in 1831 9
Adam Ward, who landed in New York in 1837 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ward Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Calvin Chester Ward, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1923 9
Mrs. Elizabeth Ward, aged 59, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Mr. James Ward, aged 59, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Ward migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ward Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Abigail Ward, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Thomas Ward who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1757 10
Mr. William Ward U.E. who settled in Bell Vue, Beaver Harbor, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 11
Mr. Asahel Ward U.E., (Ashel) who settled in Canada c. 1784 11
Mr. Asahel Ward U.E., (Asuhel) who settled in Markham, York County, Ontario c. 1784 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ward Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Ward, who arrived in Canada in 1816
Ally Ward, who landed in Canada in 1823
Bess Ward, who landed in Canada in 1823
David Ward, who landed in Canada in 1823
Asa Brown Ward, who landed in Canada in 1828
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ward migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ward Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. George Ward, English convict who was convicted in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William Ward, (Williams, John), English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Ward Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Anne Ward, (Kirwan), Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. William Ward, British Convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
William Ward, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. John Ward, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Mr. William Ward, British Convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ward 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:

Ward Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

W Ward, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1827
Mr. Ward, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "David" arriving in New Zealand in 1839 17
Child Ward, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "David" arriving in New Zealand in 1839 17
Robert Ward, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
James Ward, aged 27, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ward migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Ward Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Mr. Thomas Ward, aged 23, emigrating from St Austell, Cornwall to Jamaica, West Indies, to become an indebted servant to Neale Mackneale, a mariner originally from London, England on 3rd November 1736 19

Contemporary Notables of the name Ward (post 1700) +

Gene Rinna Ward (1943-2025), American politician and Republican member of the Hawaii House of Representatives (1990-1998) and (2006-2025), served as the Minority Leader (2018-2020)
Robert Machray Ward (1945-2025), American actor
James Michael Ward (1951-2024), American game designer and fantasy author who worked for TSR, Inc. for more than 20 years
Freddie Joe "Fred" Ward (1942-2022), American actor and producer, known for his roles in Escape from Alcatraz, Southern Comfort, The Right Stuff, Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Tremors and Tremors 2: Aftershocks and many more
Robert M. Ward (d. 2021), American politician, Minority leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives (1994-2007)
John T. Ward Jr. (1945-2021), American racehorse trainer who had over 573 career wins
Douglas Turner Ward (1930-2021), American Tony award nominated playwright, actor, director, and theatrical producer
Adam Ward (d. 2015), American cameraman for CBS affiliate WDBJ-TV who was killed during an on air interview with her cameraman by a disgruntled former fellow employee
Kevin Michael Ward (1961-2019), American Major League Baseball player who played for two seasons with the San Diego Padres (1991 and 1992)
Darrell Ward (1964-2016), American reality television personality, best known for his role as a truck driver featured on Ice Road Truckers
... (Another 55 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Ward family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mrs. Valerie Ward (1922-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Henderson, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 20
Mr. Henry Ward (1921-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Henderson, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 20

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Abraham Ward (1951-1985), American Sergeant 1st Class from Chester, South Carolina, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21

Bradford City stadium fire

Simon Neil Ward (1967-1985), from Shipley who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Elizabeth Ward (1845-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mrs. Ada F Ward (1869-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 22
Mrs. Jessie Ward (1871-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Miss Adelaide Victoria Ward (1897-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Frederick Ernest Charles Ward (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
Mr. James Joseph Richard Ward (1918-1941), Australian Leading Stoker from Centennial Park, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23

HMS Dorsetshire

Sidney Robert Ward (d. 1945), British Ordinary Coder aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24
Denis William Ward (d. 1945), British Ordinary Seaman aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24

HMS Hood

Mr. Joseph Ward (b. 1922), English Ordinary Telegraphist serving for the Royal Navy from Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. George Ward (b. 1917), English Signalman serving for the Royal Navy from Baker Street, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. Frederick W Ward (b. 1913), English Painter 3rd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Reginald Vernon Ward (b. 1913), English Pay Sub Lieutenant Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. Ian Ward, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. Frederick T Ward, British Chief Engine Room Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. William Ward, British Officers Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. Joseph W Ward, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. Horace Gerald Ward, British Commissioned Ordnance Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 27
Mr. Robert E Ward, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

Robert M. Ward, British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
Michael R.F. Ward, British Lieutenant Commander with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
David H. Ward, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
Roy Donald Ward (1907-1939), British Warrant Ordnance Officer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
George Ward (1923-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Michael Ward, Irish Fireman from Galway, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 29
Mr. John Ward, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 29
Mr. Joseph Ward, English 3rd Class passenger residing in Blakely, Georgia, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30
Mr. George Ward, English 3rd Class passenger residing in Newark, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 30
Mrs. Ellen Ward, English 3rd Class passenger residing in Newark, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 30
... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Titanic

Mr. William Ward, aged 36, English First Class Saloon Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 9 31
Mr. Edward Ward (d. 1912), aged 34, English First Class Bedroom Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 31
Mr. Percy T. Ward (d. 1912), aged 38, English First Class Bedroom Steward from Hampshire, England who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 31
Mr. Arthur Ward (d. 1912), aged 24, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 31
Mr. Joseph Ward (d. 1912), aged 31, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic, died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 31
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

USS Arizona

Mr. James R. Ward, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 32
Mr. William E. Ward, American Coxswain from Illinois, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 32
Mr. Albert Lewis Ward, American Seaman First Class from Oklahoma, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 32

Sources +

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"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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