Forest of Dean FHT Forum - Meaning of a name

Meaning of a name (reply)

Paul Andrews — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 20:41:41 +0000

?

What name is the Miner Waterward ? Waterwork???

The miner is Thomas Milson Townsend age 34 in 1911 Wales Census, living at Hillersland Near Coleford, Gloucestershire, with his widowed mother Martha.

In 1901 England Census he is Milson Townsend living with his parents George and Martha in Hillersland.

Waterward comes from the transcription by Ancestry. Find My Past transcribes the image as Smiternward. I don't think either is correct. If you compare the first letter of the word with others on the page it is the same a the T in Townsend.

Meaning of a name (reply)

Jefff — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 16:51:23 +0000

Well done Mike, thats a new one on me !

So a waterward is quite literally a ward, aka guardian, of water.

Seems obvious now thanks to you sir !

Meaning of a name (reply)

Mike Pinchin — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 21:29:23 +0000

Browsing around the web indicates that “Waterward” was a variant of “Waterworth” (a term used mostly in Lancashire) and the modern equivalent would be “Water Bailiff”, i.e. someone responsible for the policing of bodies of water in a defined area.

Meaning of a name (reply)

MPGriffiths — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 18:19:44 +0000

What name is the Miner Waterward ? Waterwork???

Meaning of a name

Bridewell — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 15:29:34 +0000

Hello,

On looking at a census my Grandfather was listed as a Miner and Waterward, does anyone know what this actualluy means please?

Thank you.