Surname Gware - Meaning and Origin
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Gware: What does the surname Gware mean?
The last name Gware is believed to come from an Old English word, gewer, which described a metalwork artisan. This particular surname became popular in England during the Norman Conquest of 1066 CE when many craftspeople migrated from mainland Europe seeking work. As such, the name Gware is an occupational surname that was used to identify families with members employed in particular trades.
Gware is thought to be a variant of the surname Gower. This name also originated from the Old English term for a metalworker and has been documented in various spellings since at least the 12th century. Families claiming descent from this Anglo-Norman stock are distributed throughout England and Wales today.
The surname is derived from the Old English word geweorc or ‘to work metals’ and can be found in a number of forms such as Goor, Grave, Gure, Gurry, Gear, and Gwar. In some cases, the suffix -er or -ers was added to the original form of the surname to indicate a person of that trade. This was a common practice in medieval times as most people were identified by what they did for a living.
The name Gware is strongly associated with skilled craftsmen and metalworkers of England, and today it is embraced by many families around the world. Many of those who bear the name are proud of their heritage and recognize the importance of passing down the legacy of craftsmanship for future generations.
Order DNA origin analysisGware: Where does the name Gware come from?
The surname Gware can be found in various parts of the world, but is particularly common in Wales and England. Records of the surname date back to as early as the 13th century in England where the Gware family originally hailed from Devon.
The name, which is believed to have derived from the Old English word "Ware," meaning "guardian" or "keeper," was most likely brought to England by immigrants. During the Middle Ages, the surname spread north to the Welsh Marches.
It is also common today in the United States, due to immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the Gwares who left England and Wales settled in American states such as Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Today, you can find the surname all over the world, with significant Gware populations located in England, Wales, Australia, Canada, and the United States. It has spread to other countries with large immigrant populations such as South Africa and Israel.
On the whole, the Gware family is an ancient one with a long and honorable history. It is still in use today in various parts of the world, making it a symbol of connection to past generations.
Variations of the surname Gware
Gware is a rare surname, so there is limited data available about it. However, variants and other spellings are occasionally found.
The most commonly seen spelling is Gware, but Gwaer is also a variant. Gwaer is a spelling found mainly in Wales, which likely has some connection with the Welsh origin of the name. There are also rare instances of the surname which spell it Gawre.
It is quite possible that the surname Gware derives from an Old Welsh personal name Gwair. This could be a variant of Gwalchmai, which means "hawk of May" and is derived from elements meaning "hawk" and "May".
It is also possible that the surname Gware could have evolved from the Middle English word gwere, meaning a "dweller in a forest". This could point to someone who lived in an area associated with forests or woodland.
The surname Gware can also be seen as Gauwer, Gaurer, Gawer, Gauer, Gawerer, Cawer, and Gower. These all likely evolved from the original Gware. The present-day surnames Gower, Gowers and Gowers-Gawer are likely related to the original Gware. All of these spellings identify a family whose surname has origin in old Britain.
It is possible that some people with other surnames, such as Gowers or Gowers-Gawer, may actually have descended from the Gware family. Research into one's family history may reveal an unexpected connection.
Famous people with the name Gware
- David Gware: noted Kenyan legal practitioner and former Vice-Chairman of Kenya's Law Society.
- Kevin Gware: Kenyan comedian and actor who is best known for his roles in popular Nairobi-based films such as Shikunga, Heist, and The Shift.
- Leslie Gware: Australian businesswoman and entrepreneur who is widely recognized for founding the innovative education technology platform, Gware.
- Joseph Gware: a professional filmmaker and cinematographer from the Republic of South Africa.
- Jesse Gware: Afro-Caribbean singer and songwriter from Jamaica who released his debut album, A Bloom in a Bleak, in 2002.
- Jonathan Gware: Liberian lawyer, human rights advocate, former Vice President, and the permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations.
- Valerie Gware: painter and sculptor from Sierra Leone who is known for creating intricately designed sculptures that tell general African stories.
- Alashia Gware: Nigerian artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who is known for hosting successful artist showcases and encouraging young, new talent.
- Emeka Gware: Nigerian basketball player who has represented the national team of his home country in several international competitions.
- Kwesi Gware: Ghanaian politician and former Member of the Parliament who was noted for his work in the areas of natural resource conservation and development.