Origins of the Ward surname
What does the name Ward mean?
Ward is a relatively common surname with a number of origins. Most often, it is an occupational English name deriving from the Old English word 'warde' or 'wearde', which means to 'watch' or 'guard'. This name would have been given to a watchman, guard or gatekeeper. Alternately, and far less commonly, there is a topographical origin for the surname Ward that stems from 'werd', meaning 'marsh'. Secondly in Ireland it can derive from 'Mac an Bhaird' (son of the bard).
Alternative variations of the name Ward
Ward, Warde, Word, Wart, Warth
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Common jobs for Wards
Men and women often performed different types of jobs, so these are displayed by gender to maintain their historical accuracy.
Common female occupations for Wards in 1921
Dressmaker
2,750
Domestic Servant
1,607
Laundress
1,586
General Servant Domestic
1,516
Cotton Weaver
1,258
Common male occupations for Wards in 1921
Agricultural Labourer
3,142
Coal Miner
2,702
General Labourer
2,598
Farmer
1,909
Farm Labourer
1,814
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