Heywood is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English words "haeg" meaning enclosure or hedge, and "haga" which means wood or enclosure. The name originally referred to someone who lived in or near a woodland clearing enclosed by hedges.
The name Heywood has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous bearers of this name is Sir William Heywood, who was an English soldier and politician during the 16th century. He served as Member of Parliament for various constituencies in Lincolnshire and was also knighted by King Henry VIII.
Another notable figure named Heywood is the American author Francis Bret Harte, whose real name was Franklin Bret Harte. Born in 1836 in Albany, New York, Harte adopted the pen name "Frank Brett Harte" before eventually settling on his most famous pseudonym, Bret Harte. He is best known for his short stories set during the California Gold Rush era.
In literature, Heywood has also appeared as a character name in several works. In Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream," one of the Mechanicals is named Francis Flute, but he is often referred to by his nickname, Heywood. Additionally, there was an actor named John Heywood who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries and performed in several of Shakespeare's plays.
Despite its historical significance, however, Heywood remains relatively uncommon as a given name today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only eight boys were named Heywood in 2019, making it one of the least common boys' names that year. Nonetheless, for those who choose this unique name for their child or themselves, Heywood offers an interesting blend of English heritage and historical associations.
The name Heywood has seen a varied number of births over the years in the United States. Between 1912 and 1963, there were a total of 305 babies born with this unique name.
In the early 20th century, the popularity of Heywood fluctuated from year to year, with the highest number of births occurring in 1922 when there were 13 newborns sharing this name. This peak was followed by another high point in 1942 with 11 births.
However, the number of babies named Heywood began to decline towards the middle of the century. From 1945 onwards, there were consistently fewer than ten births per year for this name. The lowest point occurred in 1963 when only five children were born and given the name Heywood.
Despite its declining popularity as a baby name, Heywood has left its mark on American history over the past century with its unique sound and spelling. It's fascinating to observe how trends in naming have changed over time, and this statistical overview provides an interesting glimpse into one such trend.