The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Ward

All of the information comes from Elizabeth Ramagos who spent 60 years researching Wards. I'm transcribing files of notes: No source was given I could see on the copy.

The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Ward: The chronicles of England, though sometimes shrouded by the mists of time, reveal the early records of the name Ward as a Norman surname which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is interwoven into the colourful fabric as an intrinsic part of the history of Britain. Careful research by professional analysts using such ancient manuscripts, as the Domesday Book, (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the honour Roll of the Battel Abbey. The Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, and local parish and church records, shows the first record of the name Ward was found in Northampton, and local parish and church records, shows the first record of the name Ward was found in Northampton, where they had been seated from ancient times, and the first on record was Osbert de Varde of Givendale in the year 1130, who was a descendant of Fouques de Vardes of Normandy. His descendent Simon Ward was Governor of Pontefract Castle in 1324. Many alternative spellings of the name were found. They were typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Your name, Ward, occurred in many references, and from time to time, the surname included the spellings of Ward, Warde, Varde, and many more. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. It was not unlikely that a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone, which showed another. All three spellings related to the same person. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either came from a division of the family, or, had religious reasons, or sometimes, patriotic reasons. The family name Ward, is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race. They were commonly believed to be of French origin but were more accurately, of Viking origin, The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 AD, under their Chief, Stirgud the Stout. Later under their Jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France about 940 AD, The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the North Men. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy. Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, and recorded it in the Domesday Book. A family name capable of being traced back to his document, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day. Tfhe surname Ward emerged as a notable English family name in the country of Northampton. This great Northampton family branched into Yorkshire by the 15th century, and by the 16th century had moved into Norfolk, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. They were elevated to the peerage as Barons Dudley and the Viscounts Bangor, and reassumed the title of Baron Ward, which had become extinct with Simon in 1324. They Northwood (sp???) Park, St. Peter’s in Phanet, Calverley, Willie, and Ogborne St. Andrew. The titles of the Earls of Dudley are still held. Of note amongst the family at this time was Baron Simon Ward.
The surname Ward contributed much to local politics and in the affairs of England or Scotland. During the 12th century many of these Norman families moved north to Scotland, following Earl David of Huntingdon who would become the King of Scotland. Later, in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, England and Scotland were ravaged by religious and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy.The unrest caused many to think of distant lands.
Settlers in Ireland became known as the “adventurers for land in Ireland”. They “undertook” to keep the Protestant faith, and were granted lands previously owned by the Irish. In Ireland they settled in Wexford, Dublin, and Bangor Castle in county Down. The news of attractions for the New World spread like wildfire. Many sailed aboard the fleet of sailing ships know as the “White Sails”.
In North America, migrants, which could be considered kinsmen of the family name Ward, or variable spellings of that same family name included Thomas Ward who settled in St. John’s Newfoundland in 1757;, Andrew Ward settled in New England in 1630: Elizabeth Ward settled in Virginia ain 1635, along with Grace, Robert, Richard, John: George Ward settled in Boston Mass. In 1737, along with Henry: Andrew Ward of Fairfield Conn. Was Colonial Commissioner for that State, who claimed descendancy from the original Osbert. From the port of arrival many settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the Ward of Independence some declared their loyalty to the crown and moved northward into Canada and became know as the United Empire Loyalists.
Meanwhile, the family name was prominent in the social scene. There were notables of this name, Ward: Sir Aubrey Ward: Dam Barbara Ward: General Sir Dudley War: Sir John Ward: Sir Terence Ward: professor Stacey Ward, Engineer: Judge Roy Ward: General Sir Richard Ward.
In the process of researching this distinguished family name we also traced the most ancient grant of Coat of Arms from the branches, which developed their own arms. The most ancient grant of a Coat of arms found was: Chequered gold and blue with and ermine diagonal stripe. The Crest was: A lion’s head emerging from a crown. The ancient family Motto for this distinguished name was {Comme Je Fus)