Allward Family History

From the Middle English personal name Alward, Elward is a reduced form of several Old English male given names such as Ælfweard (Middle English Alfward), Ealdweard, and (especially in Devon) Æðelweard, which survives as Middle English Aylward, Alward, and probably Elward.

By the 12th century, these names from ælf ‘elf, sprite’ and æðel ‘noble’ + weard ‘ward, guardian’ were often confused. The forms Ailwardus grossus and Ælward judex occur also as Alfward and Ailward respectively (about 1116 in Ekwall ELPN).

See also Avard.