Heyward
An English surname meaning “hayward,” the keeper of hedges, fences, or enclosed fields.
The #6,904 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 63,437 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Heyward is a spelling of Hayward, a medieval occupational surname. It comes from Middle English hayward, from Old English hegeweard: literally “hedge-warden” or “fence guard.” The name originally referred to a person responsible for guarding fields, fences, and often livestock or crops from wandering animals or trespass.
History
The surname is well attested in medieval English records in forms such as le Heyward and le Heywaro, showing its use as an occupational byname. Heyward is a later spelling variant of the much more common Hayward, and the same name may also appear in forms like Heywood in some older indexes, though that is a different surname in many cases. It spread through England and later to North America, where it remains relatively uncommon.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In medieval villages, a hayward could be an important local official, not just a farmhand, because keeping boundaries and livestock under control was serious business.
From the historical record
“"IV™an Drynkale, co. Norf., ibid. ElwTB le Heyward, co. Horf., ibid. Williwn BIWin. Co. Soil., ibkL GeofTrer Blwyne. co. Norf. ibid.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances