name
Common
Edwards
EHD-wuhdz
Edwards (name) means an English and Welsh surname, originally meaning "son of Edward.". Example: “The Edwards family has lived in that valley for three generations.”
name
1
An English and Welsh surname, originally meaning "son of Edward."
"The Edwards family has lived in that valley for three generations."
"Vodafone has also dropped its claim against one of Rhys Edwards’s travelling companions – who had been at the same reunion and had his phone pickpocketed two hours later in almost identical circumstances to Rhys Edwards."
— Miles Brignall, Victory against Vodafone for schoolteacher billed £15,000 (2014)
How to use Edwards
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common surname derived from the first name Edward.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Edwardses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ family has lived in that valley for three generations.
Etymology
Formed from the given name Edward plus the possessive "-s," the standard English pattern for turning a father's name into a family surname.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Edwards” mean?
The word “Edwards” means an English and Welsh surname, originally meaning "son of Edward.". In plain terms, a common surname derived from the first name Edward.
How do you pronounce “Edwards”?
“Edwards” is pronounced EHD-wuhdz (/ˈɛdwɚdz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Edwards” in a sentence?
Here is “Edwards” used in a sentence: “The Edwards family has lived in that valley for three generations.”
What part of speech is “Edwards”?
“Edwards” is a name.
Is “Edwards” a common word?
“Edwards” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is Edwards an English or Welsh surname?
Edwards is recorded as both an English and a Welsh surname, so it belongs to both traditions. It arose wherever the given name Edward was in use, with the final -s marking descent from a man of that name.
What is the difference between Edward and Edwards?
Edward is a given name, while Edwards is a surname that originally meant "son of Edward." The added -s turns the personal name into a family name.
How do you write the plural and possessive of Edwards?
A family with this surname is "the Edwardses" in the plural, following the normal rule for names ending in s. For the possessive, both "Edwards's" and "Edwards'" are accepted; the choice depends on the style guide you follow.
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