Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) Prior to the Norman Conquest of England, Edward was a common personal name; its popularity probably due to the fact that Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) had been the Patron Saint of England before Saint George.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edwardes research.
Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1219, 1279, 1283, 1597, 1582, 1658, 1615, 1637, 1711, 1801, 1471, 1678 and are included under the topic Early Edwardes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Edwardes family name include Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Edwardes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Edwardes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
^ Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.