Summary

A surname of English origin, Heyward traces its roots back to the medieval period. It was originally an occupational surname, derived from the Middle English word 'heghewarde,' meaning a guardian of a hedge or fence. Heyward has a rich history and is associated with land ownership and the management of boundaries and properties.
There are
4867
Heywards in the USA
Heyward is the
6904th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Heyward

DuBoseHeyward

DuBose Heyward was an American author best known for his novel 'Porgy,' which was later adapted into the famous opera 'Porgy and Bess.'

WesHeyward

Wes Heyward is a former American football player who played as a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1970s.

DickieHeyward

Dickie Heyward was an American basketball player who played for the Harlem Globetrotters and was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

RachelHeyward

Rachel Heyward is a British actress known for her roles in films like 'Snow Cake' and 'Boy A.'

ThomasHeyward

Thomas Heyward Jr. was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence from South Carolina and served as a judge and a delegate to the Continental Congress.

ThomasHeyward

Thomas Heyward Sr. was an American planter and politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and fought in the American Revolutionary War.

VaniaHeyward

Vania Heyward is a Canadian actress and filmmaker known for her work in films like 'The New Romantic' and 'All the Wrong Reasons.'

ElizabethHeyward

Elizabeth Heyward was an English noblewoman and the wife of John Duval, the founder of the Duval family.

EdwardLeslie

Edward Leslie Heyward was an American educator and politician who served as the Mayor of Savannah, Georgia from 1924 to 1931.

JamesJeremiah

James Jeremiah Heyward was an American politician who served as the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina from 1897 to 1901.

Heyward Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Heyward' is of English origin. It is a variant of the surname 'Howard' which is derived from the Old English words 'hoga' meaning 'care' and 'ward' meaning 'guardian' or 'protector'. The name likely originated as a title or occupational name for someone who was a guardian or protector.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Heyward' is most commonly found in the United States, with a significant presence in South Carolina, Georgia, and other southern states. It can also be found in smaller numbers in the United Kingdom and Canada.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Heyward' include 'Howard', 'Edwards', 'Hayward', 'Heward', 'Ward', 'Heard', 'Huard', 'Haywards', 'Haywood', and 'Haward'.
Migration and ImmigrationThe surname 'Heyward' likely accompanied British colonizers to the American colonies, particularly in the southern states. Over time, individuals with the surname 'Heyward' may have migrated within the United States and to other countries through various immigration waves and individual choices.