SOUTHWARD
Southward
Southward is a surname of English origin, primarily found in the United Kingdom. The name is of locational origin, derived from the Old English words suð meaning "south" and weard meaning "ward" or "guard." This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have hailed from a place situated to the south or were tasked with guarding a southern location.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Southward dates back to the late 12th century in Yorkshire, England. Over time, individuals bearing the name Southward spread to various regions across the United Kingdom, leading to diverse branches of the family in different counties.
Notable bearers of the Southward surname have played roles in various fields, including literature, academia, and public service. The name Southward resonates with themes of regional identity, guardianship, and movement in a southerly direction.
Today, individuals with the surname Southward can be found across the UK and beyond, contributing to the rich tapestry of British surnames and genealogy. The family name continues to be a distinctive marker of heritage and lineage for those who bear it.
There are approximately 1,149 people named Southward in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,640th most common surname in Britain. Around 18 in a million people in Britain are named Southward.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Joseph
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Alison
- Angela
- Ann
- Christine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jacqueline
- Jayne
- Julia
- Julie
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.