Ward (surname) explained

Ward is a surname of either Old English or Old Gaelic origin, common in English-speaking countries.

The Old English name derives from an occupational surname for a civil guard/keeper of the watch, or alternately as a topographical surname from the word werd ("marsh"). The Old Irish surname is linguistically unrelated, and derives from Mac an Bháird ("son of the Bard"), a bárd being a storyteller or poet. An Irish variant is O'Ward. The oldest public record of the surname dates to 1176.^[1]

In the 2010 United States Census, Ward was the 79th most common surname.^[2] It is the 78th most common surname in Ireland.^[3] It was the 31st most common surname in the 1991 UK census and 40th in 2001 census,^[4] and in 2007, was found to be the most common surname in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.^[5]

Surname

A

• Aaron Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Adam Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Sir Adolphus Ward (1837–1924), English historian
• Adrian Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Agnes S. Ward (1868–1938), Scottish-born American nurse
• Al Ward (1927–2021), American football executive
• Alan Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Albert Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Alex Ward (American football) (born 1999), American football player
• Alexander Ward (born 1990), British tennis player
• Alf Ward (1883–1926), English footballer
• Alfred Dudley Ward (1905–1991), British Army officer
• Alfred G. Ward (1908–1982), U.S. Navy admiral
• Algy Ward (born 1959), English musician
• Alice Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Alie Ward (born 1976), American television personality
• Amelita Ward (1923–1987), American actress
• Andre Ward (born 1984), American boxer
• Andrew Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Anita Ward (born 1956), American musician
• Ann Ward (born 1991), American fashion model
• Anne Ward (suffragist) (1825–1896), British-New Zealand temperance leader
• Anne V. Ward (1877–1971), Scottish-born American educator
• Anthony Ward (born 1957), British theatre designer
• Arnold Ward (1876–1950), British journalist and politician
• Artemas Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Ashleigh Ward (born 1994), New Zealand footballer
• Ashley Ward (born 1970), English footballer

B

• Barbara Ward (1914–1981), British economist and writer
• Barbara E. Ward (1919–1983), British anthropologist
• Barry Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Ben Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Bernard Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Bill Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• B. J. Ward (disambiguation), several people:
  • B. J. Ward (actress) (born 1944), American actress
  • BJ Ward (poet) (born 1967), American poet
  • B. J. Ward (American football) (born 1981), American football player
• Brad Ward (born 1956), Canadian politician
• Brandon Ward (born 1972), American soccer player
• Brennan Ward (born 1988), American mixed martial artist
• Brent Ward (born 1979), New Zealand rugby union player
• Brian Ward (born 1973), American football coach and player
• Brian Ward (cricketer) (born 1944), English cricketer
• Bryan Ward (born 1972), American baseball player
• Bryan Ward (priest) (1906–1989), Australian clergyman
• Burt Ward (born 1946), American actor

C

• Callan Ward (born 1990), Australian rules footballer
• Cam Ward (born 1984), Canadian hockey player
• Cam Ward (politician) (born 1971), American politician
• Carisa Zhavia Ward (born 1986), American singer-songwriter
• Caroline Ward (born 1969), Australian cricket player
• Catherine Ward (born 1987), Canadian ice hockey player
• Channing Ward (born 1992), American football player
• Charles Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Charvarius Ward (born 1996), American football player
• Chris Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Christopher Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Chuck Ward (1894–1969), American baseball player
• Claire Ward (born 1972), British politician
• Clara Ward (1924–1973), American singer
• Clarissa Ward (born 1980) British-American journalist for CNN
• Clifford T. Ward (1944–2001), English singer-songwriter
• Corey Ward, American rapper
• Cory Ward (born 1974), American curler

D

• Daniel Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Danielle Ward (born 1978), British comedian and writer
• Darrell Ward (1964–2016), American television personality
• Darren Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Daryle Ward (born 1975), American baseball player
• Dave Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• David Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Dennis Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Denzel Ward (born 1997), American football player
• Derek Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Don Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Donald Ward (1914–??), English rugby league footballer
• Donald J. Ward (1930–2004), American folklorist
• Duane Ward (born 1964), American baseball player

E

• Ebenezer Ward (1837–1917), Australian politician
• Ed Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Eddie Ward (1899–1963), Australian politician
• Edmund Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Edward Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Edwin Ward (1919–2005), English priest
• Elijah Ward (1816–1882), American politician
• Elisha Ward (1804–1860), American politician
• Elizabeth Grace Ward (born 1961), American actress
• Elliot Ward (born 1993), English footballer
• Elliott Ward (born 1985), English footballer
• Emily Ward (1850–1930), English teacher
• Eric Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Evelyn Ward (1923–2012), American actress
• Evelyn Svec Ward (1921–1989), American fiber artist

F

• Felicity Ward (born 1980), Australian comedian
• Frances Ward (1611–1697), English peer
• Frances Ward (priest) (born 1959), Anglican priest and theologian
• Frank Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Fred Ward (1942–2022), American actor
• Freda Dudley Ward (1894–1983), English socialite
• Frederick Ward (disambiguation), multiple people

G

• Gareth Ward (born 1981), Australian politician
• Garry Ward, rugby league footballer
• Gary Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Gemma Ward (born 1987), Australian supermodel and actor
• Geoffrey C. Ward (born 1940), American historian
• George Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Gerald Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Gerry Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Glenn Ward (born 1957), Australian rules footballer
• Greg Ward (born 1995), American football player
• Gregory Ward, American linguist

H

• H. J. Ward (1909–1945), American illustrator
• Hansford Ward (1817–1903), Australian ship captain
• Harry Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Helen Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Henry Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Herbert Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Hines Ward (born 1976), American football player
• Holcombe Ward (1878–1976), American tennis player
• Horace Ward (1927–2016), American judge
• Hugh J. Ward (1871–1941) American comic actor

J

• Jack Ward (1553–1622), English pirate
• Jack Ward (ice hockey), Canadian hockey player
• Jacob Ward (born 1974), American journalist
• James Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jamie Ward (born 1986), British footballer
• Janet Ward (1925–1995), American actress
• Jared Ward (born 1988), American long-distance runner
• Jason Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jay Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jeff Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jennifer Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jeremy Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jerry Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jesmyn Ward (born 1977), American novelist
• Jessie Ward (born 1979), American television producer
• Jessie Ward (actress) (born 1982), American actress
• Jihad Ward (born 1994), American football player
• Jillian Ward (born 2005), Filipino actress and model
• Jim Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Joanne Ward (born 1975), British tennis player
• Joe Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Joel Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• John Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• JoJo Ward (born 1997), American football player
• Jonathan Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Joseph Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Josephine Ward (1864–1932), British novelist
• Joshua Ward (1685–1761), English doctor
• Joshua John Ward (1800–1853), American slaveholder
• Julia Ward (1900–1962), American cryptologist
• Julia Rush Cutler Ward (1796–1824), American poet

K

• Kate Lucy Ward (1833–1915), British composer
• Keith Ward (born 1938), British philosopher
• Kelli Ward (born 1969), American politician
• Kelly Ward (born 1956), American actor
• Ken Ward (born 1935), Australian rules footballer
• Ken Ward Jr., American reporter
• Kenny Ward (born 1963), Scottish footballer
• Kevin Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Kim Ward, American politician
• Kyle Ward (disambiguation), multiple people

L

• Lafe Ward (1925–2013), American lawyer and politician
• Lance Ward (born 1978), Canadian hockey player
• Larry Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Lauren Ward (born 1970), American singer and actress
• Laurie Ward (1911–??), Australian rugby league footballer
• Lawrence Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Lesley Ward, Australian mathematician
• Lesley Ward (diver) (born 1970), British diver
• Leslie Ward (1851–1922), British caricaturist
• Leslie Ward (cricketer) (1908–1981), English cricketer
• Lester Frank Ward (1841–1913), American biologist and sociologist
• Liam Ward (1930–2022), Irish jockey
• Linda Ann Ward (born 1947), Canadian skater
• Lorenzo Ward (born 1967), American football coach
• Luca Ward (born 1960), Italian actor and dubber
• Lyman Ward (disambiguation), multiple people

M

• M. Ward (born 1973), American singer-songwriter and guitarist
• Maisie Ward (1889–1975), British writer and publisher
• Maitland Ward (born 1977), American pornographic actress
• Marcus Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Margaret Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Mark Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Mary Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Martin de Porres Ward (1918–1999), U.S. Black Catholic missionary
• Matthew Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• May Alden Ward (1853–1918), American author
• McLain Ward (born 1975), American show jumping competitor
• Meg Ward, British disc jockey
• Megan Ward (born 1969), American actress
• Michael Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Micheal Ward (born 1995), English actor
• Micky Ward (born 1965), American boxer
• Mike Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Mitchell Ward, American football player
• Monica Ward (born 1965), Italian actress and voice actress
• Morgan Ward (1901–1963), American mathematician

N

• Nancy Ward (1738–1822/1824), American Cherokee leader
• Nancy L. Ward, American politician
• Natalie Ward (born 1975), Australian softball player
• Natalie Ward (politician), Australian politician
• Nathan Ward (born 1981), Canadian hockey player
• Nathaniel Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Neil B. Ward (1914–1972), American meteorologist
• Nicholas Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Nick Ward (disambiguation), multiple people

O

• Orlando Ward (1891–1972), American Army general

P

• Pat Ward (politician) (1957–2012), American politician
• Patricio O'Ward (born 1999), Mexican auto racing driver
• Patrick Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Paul Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Peter Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Pendleton Ward (born 1982), American animator
• Philip Ward (1924–2003), British Army officer
• Philip Henry Ward Jr. (1886–1963), American stamp dealer
• Phillip Ward (born 1974), American football player
• Preston Ward (1927–2013), American baseball player

R

• Rachel Ward (born 1957), English-born Australian actress
• Rebecca Ward (born 1990), American fencer
• Robbie Ward (born 1995), English rugby league footballer
• Robert Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Robin Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Rod Ward (born 1937), Australian rules footballer
• Rodger Ward (1921–2004), American racing driver
• Rodney Ward (figure skater), (born 1941), British skater
• Roger Ward (born 1936), Australian actor
• Ron Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Ronald Ward (1901–1978), British actor
• Ronald James Ward (1966–2014), American serial killer
• Ryan Ward (disambiguation), multiple people

S

• Sallie Ward (1827–1896), American socialite
• Samuel Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Sarah Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Scooter Ward (born 1970), American musician
• Sela Ward (born 1956), American actress
• Selwyn Ward, American actor
• Shayne Ward (born 1984), British singer and actor
• Sheila Ward (1936–2019), British police officer
• Simon Ward (1941–2012), British actor
• Singin' Sammy Ward (1929–1996), American singer
• Sophie Ward (born 1964), British actor
• S.P. Ward Poet.
• Susan Ward (born 1976), American actor

T

• T. J. Ward (born 1986), American football player
• Ted Ward, Welsh rugby union footballer
• Terence Ward, author
• Terron Ward (born 1992), American football player
• Terry Ward (1939–1963), English footballer
• Terry W. Ward (1885–1929), American attorney and judge
• Thaddeus Ward (born 1997), American baseball player
• Theodore Ward (1902–1983), American playwright
• Thomas Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Tim Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Timothy Ward (born 1968), English cricketer
• Tony Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Tracy Posner Ward (born 1962), American animal rights activist
• Troy G. Ward (born 1962), American ice hockey coach
• Turner Ward (born 1965), American baseball player and coach
• Tyler Ward (born 1988), American musician

V

• Vada Ward, (born 1917 or 1918), American actress, journalist, public relations practitioner, film writer, and speech coach
• Vanessa Ward (born 1963), Australian high jumper
• Victoria Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Vicki Ward (born 1969), Australian politician
• Vicky Ward (born 1969), British-American journalist and author
• Vonda Ward (born 1973), American boxer and basketball player

W

• Walter Ward (disambiguation), multiple people
• Ward Wellington Ward (1875–1932), American architect
• Warren Ward (basketball) (born 1989), Canadian basketball player
• Warren Ward (footballer) (born 1962), English footballer
• Wilfrid Ward (1856–1916), British biographer
• Wilkie Ward (1884–1958), English Footballer
• William Ward (disambiguation), multiple people

Z

• Zack Ward (born 1970), Canadian actor
• Zhavia Ward (born 2001), American singer-songwriter
• ZZ Ward (born 1986), American singer-songwriter

Fictional characters

• Alice Ward, a character in Utopia
• Charles Ward, an H.P. Lovecraft character
• Grant Ward, character in the television show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
• J. D. Ward, main antagonist from
• John Ward, main protagonist of
• Judith Ward, a preloaded character in
• Luke Ward, character in the television program, The O.C.
• Mycroft Ward, main antagonist from The Raw Shark Texts
• Thomas Ward, main protagonist from the Spook's series
• Risa Ward, a main character in the book series Unwind
• Victor Ward, main character of the Bret Easton Ellis novel Glamorama
• Vivian Ward, title character in the film Pretty Woman

Notes and References

1. Web site: Surname: Ward . surnamedb.com . 2008-02-12.
2. Web site: Frequently Occurring Surnames from the 2010 Census . US Census Bureau . 6 July 2017.
3. Web site: 100 Irish surnames explained . IrelandInformation.com . en.
4. News: Buchhorn . Wolfgang . Names and That - Ward/Wards . www.lostancestors.eu.
5. News: The 50 most common British surnames, by postal town . 6 July 2017 . The Guardian . 15 April 2007.