NameCensus.

UK surname

Havard

A locational surname referring to someone from any of various places called Havard, likely derived from Old Norse hár-varðr, meaning "high ward."

In the 1881 census there were 774 people recorded with the Havard surname, ranking it #4,784 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,336, ranked #4,507, up from #4,784 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Devynnock and Merthyr Tydfil. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Powys and The Vale of Glamorgan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Havard is 1,419 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.6%.

1881 census count

774

Ranked #4,784

Modern count

1,336

2016, ranked #4,507

Peak year

2002

1,419 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Havard had 774 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,784 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,336 in 2016, ranked #4,507.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,079 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Havard surname distribution map

The map shows where the Havard surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Havard surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Havard over time

The 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 741 #3,555
1861 historical 495 #5,279
1881 historical 774 #4,784
1891 historical 776 #5,171
1901 historical 957 #4,908
1911 historical 1,079 #4,300
1997 modern 1,348 #4,268
1998 modern 1,374 #4,338
1999 modern 1,396 #4,311
2000 modern 1,411 #4,260
2001 modern 1,358 #4,311
2002 modern 1,419 #4,248
2003 modern 1,373 #4,288
2004 modern 1,393 #4,242
2005 modern 1,378 #4,248
2006 modern 1,370 #4,273
2007 modern 1,392 #4,250
2008 modern 1,381 #4,300
2009 modern 1,417 #4,291
2010 modern 1,408 #4,383
2011 modern 1,416 #4,327
2012 modern 1,363 #4,397
2013 modern 1,371 #4,445
2014 modern 1,389 #4,420
2015 modern 1,355 #4,468
2016 modern 1,336 #4,507

Geography

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Where Havards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Devynnock, Merthyr Tydfil, Llangafelach and Abergavenny. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Powys, The Vale of Glamorgan and Swansea. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Devynnock Brecon
3 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
4 Llangafelach Glamorganshire
5 Abergavenny Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
2 Powys 015 Powys
3 The Vale of Glamorgan 011 Vale of Glamorgan
4 Powys 017 Powys
5 Swansea 002 Swansea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Havard

These lists show first names that appear often with the Havard surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Havard

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Havard, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Havard surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Havard household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Havard is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Havard is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Havard falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Havard is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Havard, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Havard

The surname Havard has its origins in the British Isles, with roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period of England. It is believed to be derived from the Old English personal name "Hafard," which was composed of the elements "haf" meaning "sea" and "ard" meaning "hardy" or "brave."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Hauard" in Gloucestershire. This suggests that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name Havard was prevalent in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire. It was also found in Wales, where it was often spelled as "Haward" or "Howard."

Notable individuals bearing the surname Havard throughout history include:

1. John Havard (c. 1572-1637), an English clergyman and writer who served as the chaplain to King James I. 2. William Havard (1648-1678), an English philosopher and author of "The Grand Apologie of the Illustrious Emperor Justinian." 3. Henry Havard (1809-1876), a British painter and writer known for his works on art history and criticism. 4. Valerie Havard (1920-2003), a French actress and singer who appeared in numerous films and theatrical productions. 5. David Havard (born 1956), a Welsh rugby union player who played for Bridgend RFC and the Welsh national team in the 1970s and 1980s.

The name Havard has also been associated with various place names, such as Havard's Manor in Gloucestershire, which was mentioned in records dating back to the 13th century. Additionally, the surname has been linked to the village of Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where it was likely derived from the Welsh place name "Hwlffordd."

Over the centuries, the surname Havard has undergone various spelling variations, including Havard, Haward, Harvard, and Howart, reflecting the fluidity of English orthography and regional dialects. However, the core meaning and heritage of the name have remained consistent, representing the brave and hardy spirit of its Anglo-Saxon origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Havard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Havard surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Brecknockshire leads with 192 Havards recorded in 1881 and an index of 127.16x.

County Total Index
Brecknockshire 192 127.16x
Glamorgan 172 13.08x
Pembrokeshire 78 32.51x
Monmouthshire 43 7.88x
Carmarthenshire 39 12.26x
Middlesex 39 0.52x
Lancashire 36 0.40x
Herefordshire 32 10.34x
Gloucestershire 27 1.82x
Radnorshire 24 39.40x
Warwickshire 17 0.89x
Cardiganshire 16 8.69x
Kent 12 0.47x
Somerset 11 0.91x
Staffordshire 7 0.27x
Worcestershire 6 0.61x
Channel Islands 5 2.23x
Surrey 5 0.14x
Yorkshire 5 0.07x
Essex 4 0.27x
Lincolnshire 2 0.17x
Devon 1 0.06x
Sussex 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan leads with 58 Havards recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.90x.

Place Total Index
Merthyr Tydfil 58 45.90x
North Meols 26 29.65x
Vaynor 24 325.20x
Ystradyfodwg 22 19.08x
Devynnock 19 526.32x
Glasbury 17 833.33x
Aberdare 14 15.51x
Aston 14 2.67x
Gelligaer 14 46.64x
Llangwm 14 619.47x
Llandyfriog 13 634.15x
Llanddewir Cum 12 1165.05x
Newport 12 308.48x
Llandingat 11 152.14x
Aberyscir 10 2439.02x
Bedwellty 9 9.34x
Haverfordwest St Martin 9 202.25x
Mawr 9 324.91x
Penderyn 9 218.45x
Shoreditch London 9 2.75x
Twining 9 403.59x
Ystradvelltey 9 596.03x
Abergavenny 8 39.14x
Brecknock St John 8 62.84x
Cheltenham 8 7.00x
Cwmdu 8 49.94x
Llanelly 8 11.16x
Minster In Sheppey 8 18.74x
Upper Ystradgynlais 8 640.00x
Cusop 7 1320.75x
Dinedor 7 1060.61x
Lower Ystradgynlais 7 75.19x
Merthyr Cynog 7 368.42x
Michaelstone Super Avon 7 49.19x
Aberystruth 6 12.47x
Hay 6 106.95x
Kenn 6 800.00x
Letterston 6 566.04x
Llanthetty 6 461.54x
Llanychlwydog 6 1176.47x
Llowes 6 769.23x
Llywel 6 184.05x
Monmouth 6 41.47x
Neath 6 22.43x
Penrith 6 983.61x
Trevethin 6 11.64x
Aberavon 5 41.32x
Ashton Under Lyne 5 2.55x
Brecknock St David 5 123.15x
Briton Ferry 5 31.87x
Bryngwyn 5 781.25x
Chelsea London 5 2.20x
Llanwonno 5 10.58x
Maescar 5 490.20x
Mile End Old Town London 5 3.11x
St Martin 5 36.47x
Canon Pyon 4 220.99x
Canterbury St Mary N 4 229.89x
Castellan 4 888.89x
Clerkenwell London 4 2.24x
Clydey 4 138.89x
Kinver 4 54.42x
Leominster 4 31.23x
Llangeler 4 94.34x
Llanllawddog 4 258.06x
Llanthew 4 645.16x
Moelgrove 4 366.97x
Mynyddyslwyn 4 18.58x
Chepstow 3 32.29x
Cwmdu 3 121.46x
Henllan 3 1000.00x
Islington London 3 0.41x
Llandilo Graban 3 461.54x
Llangan East 3 201.34x
Llanychaer 3 714.29x
Longdon 3 218.98x
St Botolph Aldersgate 3 34.64x
Swansea St Thomas 3 22.71x
Trallong 3 416.67x
Walthamstow 3 5.59x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Havard surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 53
Elizabeth 43
Margaret 35
Sarah 25
Ann 23
Jane 15
Hannah 14
Eliza 13
Martha 10
Alice 9
Ellen 9
Rachel 9
Emily 8
Anne 7
Annie 6
Catherine 5
Maria 5
Caroline 3
Elisabeth 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Gwen 3
Janet 3
Jessie 3
Rebecca 3
Winifred 3
Anna 2
Cecilia 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Emma 2
Esther 2
Laura 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Margt. 2
Maryann 2
Rose 2
Agnes 1
Catharine 1
Cecelia 1
Eliz 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth. 1
Ellinor 1
Jenet 1
Joan 1
Johanna 1
Julia 1
Zillah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Havard surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 59
William 59
Thomas 48
David 35
James 23
Henry 15
George 13
Charles 9
Arthur 7
Edward 7
Richard 7
Joseph 6
Samuel 6
Lewis 5
Benjamin 4
Frederick 4
Howell 4
Rees 4
Roger 4
Daniel 3
Evan 3
Walter 3
Benj. 2
Levi 2
Llewellyn 2
Morgan 2
Stephen 2
Amos 1
Dickey 1
Earnest 1
Eben 1
Ebenezer 1
Edgar 1
Eli 1
Enoch 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
German 1
Griffith 1
Jenkin 1
Johnny 1
Johny 1
Jonas 1
Keziah 1
Kinsey 1
Leon 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Havard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Havard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 774 people were recorded with the Havard surname. That placed it at #4,784 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Havard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,336 in 2016. That gives Havard a modern rank of #4,507.

What does the Havard surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from any of various places called Havard, likely derived from Old Norse hár-varðr, meaning "high ward."

What does the Havard map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Havard bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.