Durward is a distinctive given name of Scottish origin, derived from the surname 'Durward', which itself stems from the Old French word 'd'urwerk', meaning 'hard work'. The name gained prominence in Scotland through the family of Durwards who were prominent royal stewards and guardsmen during the medieval period. In literature, it is perhaps best known as a character in Sir Walter Scott's historical novel 'The Fair Maid of Perth'. While not particularly common today, Durward remains an intriguing choice for parents seeking a unique yet historically rooted name for their child.
The name Durward experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable peak occurring during World War I. Between 1914 and 1919, there were at least 71 births per year, reaching a high of 118 in 1916. However, the number of Durward births declined sharply after the war, dropping to single digits by the late 1920s. This trend continued throughout most of the 20th century, with only occasional spikes in popularity, such as in 1971 and 1980. Overall, there were a total of 2,873 births named Durward from 1884 to 1991.