UK surname
A locative surname derived from a place name containing the Old English word "ceafor" meaning "beetle".
In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Caward surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #28,559 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, Fridaythorpe and Kirkby Ireleth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caward is 127 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.8%.
1881 census count
36
Ranked #28,559
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
127 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Caward surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Caward surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 95 | #17,707 |
| 1861 | historical | 127 | #17,469 |
| 1881 | historical | 36 | #28,559 |
| 1891 | historical | 71 | #27,934 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 23 | #30,923 |
| 1997 | modern | 30 | #34,701 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 29 | #35,270 |
| 2005 | modern | 31 | #35,260 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 27 | #36,153 |
| 2011 | modern | 27 | #36,136 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 26 | #36,228 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, Fridaythorpe, Kirkby Ireleth, Monkwearmouth and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romsey Extra, Michelmersh | Hampshire |
| 2 | Fridaythorpe | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 3 | Kirkby Ireleth | Lancashire |
| 4 | Monkwearmouth | Durham |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Caward surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Caward, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Caward surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Caward household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Caward is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Caward is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Caward, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Caward is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place named Cawarden or Carwardine in Herefordshire. The name itself is believed to come from the Old English words "calf" and "worð," meaning "calf" and "enclosure" respectively, suggesting a connection to a place where calves were kept.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Caward can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Herefordshire from 1196, where a person named William de Cawarden is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, the name appears in various forms, such as Carwardyn and Carwardin, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that period. One notable figure from this time was Sir John Carwardyn, who served as a knight in the service of King Edward I during the Welsh Wars in the late 13th century.
As the centuries progressed, the name continued to evolve, with variants like Cawardin, Cawarden, and Caward becoming more common. In the 16th century, records show a Thomas Caward residing in Gloucestershire, while in the 17th century, a John Caward is documented as a landowner in Herefordshire.
One of the most prominent individuals bearing the Caward surname was Sir Benjamin Caward (1669-1745), a wealthy merchant and Member of Parliament for the city of Bristol in the early 18th century. He played a significant role in the expansion of Bristol's trade with the American colonies.
Another notable figure was Elizabeth Caward (1723-1798), a renowned actress and playwright in the 18th century. She was celebrated for her performances in comedic roles and wrote several successful plays during her career.
In the 19th century, the name Caward continued to be found throughout England, with individuals such as William Caward (1806-1879), a successful businessman and philanthropist in London, and Henry Caward (1832-1903), a respected Anglican clergyman and author.
While the Caward surname may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and connection to various regions of England serve as a testament to its enduring legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caward surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 24 Cawards recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.90x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fridaythorpe in Yorkshire leads with 12 Cawards recorded in 1881 and an index of 30000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Fridaythorpe | 12 | 30000.00x |
| Ilkley | 5 | 877.19x |
| Monkwearmouth Shore | 5 | 245.10x |
| Deptford St Paul | 2 | 21.65x |
| Doncaster | 2 | 78.74x |
| Brighton | 1 | 8.38x |
| Chapel En Le Frith | 1 | 200.00x |
| Hambleton | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Harlthorpe | 1 | 10000.00x |
| High Low Catton | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Hurworth | 1 | 555.56x |
| Kingstonupon Hull | 1 | 357.14x |
| Sand Hutton | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 1 | 60.61x |
| St Botolph Aldgate London | 1 | 138.89x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Caward surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Caward surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Caward households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 2 |
| Agr Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| Formerly Cook | 1 |
| Lady | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Machineman (Railway) | 1 |
| Master (FM) | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Out Door Worker | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Pensioned Soldier | 1 |
| Railway Guard | 1 |
| Sheppard | 1 |
| Ship Joiner (Br) | 1 |
| Shipyard Labourer (Lbr) | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Caward surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Caward a modern rank of #36,254.
A locative surname derived from a place name containing the Old English word "ceafor" meaning "beetle".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Caward bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.