Edward
A surname taken from the old personal name Edward, meaning “wealthy guardian.”
The #7,446 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 69,024 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Edward comes from the old personal name Edward, which is made from Old English elements meaning “wealth, fortune” and “guard, protector.” As a surname, it began as a way of identifying someone as the descendant or family member of a man named Edward. Related forms such as Edwards, Edwardson, and older pet forms like Tedd and perhaps Edes and Edkins grew from the same given name.
History
The name Edward was borne by several Anglo-Saxon kings, especially Edward the Confessor, which helped keep it popular after the Norman Conquest. Surnames formed from Edward appear in a variety of spellings and related patronymic forms, especially in England and Wales. Lower also notes a Welsh line using Edwardes, showing how the personal name entered hereditary family names in different regions.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The first element in Edward is the same old word that appears in modern English “wealth,” while the second is related to “ward” in the sense of a keeper or guardian.
From the historical record
“EDWARD. The personal name, which has given rise as surnames to Edwards, Ethards, Edwardson, Tedd, and perhaps to Edes, Edkins, &c. EDWARDES. (Bart.) "Descended in tlie male line from tlie ancient kings or princes of Powysland in Wales. Tliey be- came seated at Kilhendre, iu the isarish of Ellesmere, Shropshire, as…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom