Guardian of the hedged enclosure
Derived from Middle English, this name originally served as an occupational surname for a high-ranking official who protected cultivated land from stray animals. It combines the elements 'hege' (hedge) and 'ward' (guardian).
Less common today
Heyward isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #5,798 in 1993.
Historical figure at Harpers Ferry
A character in the film The Shawshank Redemption · The Shawshank Redemption
Former US Ambassador to Haiti
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
