Find out how popular the first name Heyward has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Heyward by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Heyward is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Heyward.

The history of the first name Heyward

The given name Heyward has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the words "heg" meaning "hedge" and "weard" meaning "guard" or "watchman." It was a common name among the Anglo-Saxons, indicating someone who guarded or watched over a hedged area or boundary.

In the early medieval period, the name Heyward was primarily found in England and parts of what is now Germany and the Netherlands, where Anglo-Saxon settlers had established communities. It appeared in various historical records and documents from the 8th to 11th centuries, often referring to individuals involved in land management or military roles.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Heyward can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of the great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as "Heiward" among landowners and tenants in several counties, indicating its prevalence during the Norman period.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Heyward continued to be used, particularly in England and parts of Europe influenced by Anglo-Saxon culture. Notable individuals bearing this name include Heyward the Red (c. 1070-1150), a wealthy landowner and benefactor of religious institutions in Gloucestershire, and Heyward de Burgh (c. 1290-1348), a military commander who served Edward III during the Hundred Years' War.

During the Renaissance and Early Modern periods, the name Heyward remained in use, although its popularity waned somewhat. One notable figure was Sir Heyward Stafford (c. 1455-1483), a member of the English gentry who supported the Yorkist cause during the Wars of the Roses. In literature, the name appeared in works such as "The Tragedy of Heywood" by Thomas Heywood, published in 1637.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Heyward experienced a revival, particularly in the United States. Notable individuals include Heyward Shepherd (c. 1775-1859), an African American laborer who was the first casualty of the American Civil War, and Thomas Heyward Jr. (1746-1809), a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence from South Carolina.

Other notable individuals named Heyward throughout history include Heyward Isham (1844-1914), an American banker and philanthropist, Heyward Broun (1888-1939), an American journalist and author, and Heyward Emmell (1923-2018), an American actor and director.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Heyward was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Heyward, please contact us.

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