As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

Anoiently in England the keeper of the common herd or cattle of a town, from the Saxon hieg, hay, and ward, a keeper.

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


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

HAYWARD. Fr. haie, a hedge, and u-ard., O. Eng. a guardian or keeper. Inclosures as well as the fences which encircled them were called hays; hence a Hay ward was a person employed to watch enclosed fields.

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


Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

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