The surname of ALWARD was a baptismal name 'the son of Aylward', derived from the Old English AEOELWEARD - meaning 'noble protector'. Early records of the name mention Godric filius Aeilwardi of Bury, County Suffolk in 1095. Bernard Aylward of the County of Wiltshire was documented in the year 1273 and Hamond Ayleward, vicar of Swardeston, County Norfolk in 1376. William, son of William Ayleward, was baptised at St. James's, Clerkenwell, London in 1691. Thomas Aylward was buried at St. Dionis Backchurch, London in 1705. Families of this name living mostly in Waterford and the south eastern part of County Kilkenny, still reside in the region where their ancestors settled in the wake of the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland. Their ancient seat was the townland name Aylwardsdown in the parish of Kilmakevoge, Barony of Ida, County Kilkenny. When the sparse Irish population began to increase it became necessary to broaden the base of personal identification by moving from single names to a more definite nomenclature. The prefix MAC was given to the father's christian name, or O to that of a grandfather or even earlier ancestor. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Many Highland families migrated from Scotland to Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries, and were granted the lands of the native Catholic Irish. People heard of the attractions of the New World, and many left Ireland to seek a better life sailing aboard the fleet of ships known as the 'White Sails', but much illness took its toll with the overcrowding of the ships which were pestilence ridden. From the port of entry many settlers made their way west, joining the wagons to the prairies, and many loyalists went to Canada about the year 1790, and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.