Edwards surname Origins

The Welsh surname Edwards was derived from the personal name Edward. This name is in turn derived from the Old English forename "Eadweard," which literally means "prosperity-guard."Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles and Ireland, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. In the early Middle Ages, the general population was almost entirely illiterate and literary languages had inconsistent rules regarding spelling. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Edwards name over the years has been spelled Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.First found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county, created in 1536 at the Act of Union with England, and located in Northeast Wales, where they were seated from very ancient times, and were descended from Einion Efell, Lord of Cynlleth, living in 1182, illegitimate son of MADOG ap MAREDUDD, prince of Powys, who built Oswestry Castle in 1148.

 

Early References to Edwards in Ireland

Edwards family in Clare

Photograph of a woman.

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