Family spelling variants includes Edwardes

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EDWARDS Family History

INTRODUCTION

This surname, with variant forms Edwardes and Edwardson, is a patronymic form of the early medieval English male given name Edward, itself coming from the Olde English pre 7th Century "Eadward", composed of the elements "ead", prosperity or fortune, plus "w(e)ard", guard; hence, "prosperity guard". The name was very popular in England and throughout the Continent largely as a result of the fame of the two canonized kings of England, Edward the Martyr (962 - 979), and Edward the Confessor (1004 - 1066). The personal name was first recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, circa 800 A.D. as "Eadweard" and variously as "Eaduuardus" and "Eduuard" in the Domesday Book of 1086...

SURNAME

Edwards (Variants: Edwardes) This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor, as in 'the son of Edward.' Old English name Eadweard, meaning ‘guardian of prosperity or happiness’ is closely related to other Old English names Edwin, meaning ‘prosperity- friend’ or ‘rich friend’. Edmund can also mean ‘prosperity - protector’.

Modern associations of the first name Edward include Ed, Eddy, Ted, Teddy and various others. Edward has been adapted slightly in other countries, in French as Edouard, Scandinavian Edvard, and the Spanish Eduardo.

The UK has an Edwardstone in Suffolk, which has woodland that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Australia also has the name-related town of Edwardstown.

In 1891, the frequency of Edwards in England and Wales 82,799 with a further 1,272 recorded in Scotland. In 1881, the surname was widespread across Wales, South and West England. In the southern county of Kent, it was recorded as a top county with 2,415 occurrences. During the same year in the UK, it was most occupationally common for Edwards to be Farmers along with Labourer and Coal Miner. A less reported occupation was Agricultural Labourer.

In August 1809, William Edwards, an English convict from Kent, was transported aboard the "Ann" settling in New South Wales, Australia.

Jonathan Edwards (1703—58), an American philosopher and preacher was well known for A Dissertation Concerning The End For Which God Created The World. Edwards disputed against the majority that claimed that human happiness was the end for which God created the world. Edwards instead puts forth the conception that for God's creation of the world was not human happiness, but the magnification of his own glory and name. Unfortunately, it was not published until after his death in 1765 along with a similar publication – The Nature of True Virtue.

SOURCES: 1881, 1891 Census

1881 Census in Kent

Dictionary of American Family Homes, P Hanks OUP 2003

Homes of Family Names in Great Britain, H.B. Guppy, London 1890

The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, P.Hanks, Coats, McClure OUP 2016

1860 Lower, Mark A Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom, London: J.R Smith. Public Domain

1857 Arthur, William An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain

https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/edwards/william/110418

J.M.P

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Anthony Barrett

(Part 1 of 3) The Edwards name has a long history in British Isles, but now DNA and some recorded history says their origin is from the Emerald Island. The Edwards story [dominated by DNA tribal marker R1b-L513, Subgroup B2] can trace their origins to the Finn Valley in Donegal, Ireland from 50 BCE. Perhaps the journey begins with the Clanna Dedad; Deda, son of Sen or Deda Mac Sin. The Edwards surname origin is from Clan Domnaill [DNA Tribe R1b-L513, Subgroup B1] and relations who remain in Ireland take the modern surname (O’)Donnelly, McDonald and Donohue in Ireland.

Anthony Barrett

(Part 2 of 3) According to research, the Domnaill name is also found in Brittany, France. It is a very old name which appears in the 5th century Roman inscriptions as Dumnovellaunos in Brittany meaning “Deep Valour” equivalent to Irish Domhnaill. But how could this be? Recent discoveries from DNA testing are unlocking the migration patterns of Celtic tribes as late as 800 CE to 1200 CE. The Edwards story begins in pre-history Ireland then moves to Wales where the family can be traced back to their Welsh tribe Cydifor Fawr. An ancestor and many of his kin will then move to Brittany, France during the Dark Ages.

Anthony Barrett

(Part 3 of 3) Discover their newly found untold story and how forgotten texts bring their story back to life. From the ebook, “The Tribe Within” learn how DNA unfolds this amazing tale and if you look in the right places, how history narrates this evidence. There is another written account of their story, but it is camouflaged in smoke and myth – it will become the tales of King Arthur. Come follow in the footsteps of Deda Mac Sin and visit https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/401207

Anthony Barrett

(Part 1 of 3) The Edwards name has a long history in the British Isles, but now DNA and some recorded history says its origin is from the north-west region of the Emerald Island. The Edwards story [dominated by DNA tribal marker R1b-L513, Subgroup C1] can trace their beginnings to the Finn Valley in Donegal, Ireland from 50 BCE. Perhaps the journey begins with the Clanna Dedad; Deda, son of Sen or Deda Mac Sin. The Edwards surname origin is possibly from the Dáirine [R1b-L513] who found the Kingdom of Brycheiniog, Wales around 300 CE.

Anthony Barrett

(Part 2 of 3) According to research, the Kingdom of Brycheiniog will take part in an invasion of Brittany, France around 500 CE. But how could this be? Recent discoveries from DNA testing are unlocking the migration patterns of Celtic tribes as late as 800 CE to 1200 CE. The Edwards story begins in pre-history Ireland but this descendant will then move to Wales where the family can be traced back to their Welsh tribe Cydifor Fawr. This line and many of his kin will then travel to Brittany, France during the Dark Ages.

Anthony Barrett