Other Items, which may be of Interest;
Origins: Scandinavia to the Norman Conquest
Early Settlement in England
Name Variations
First Appearance in Southern England
Sources
Origins
The Heimskringala
The earliest Documented Evidence of the Scard Name is in its ancient variant Skerde found in the Heimskringala written AD1225. Relating the Tales of
Ancient Scandinavia it was recorded in the Old Nordic language, the Legends tell of the bearers of this Name displaying initiative, courage, loyalty,
position and affluence.
Excerpt 1:- Skerde The Viking:- The Prisoner AD996-AD1015
Initially it reveals details of a Viking by this name, a prisoner around c. AD996-1015 and the inference although brief depicts a Viking who demonstrates
instinctive initiative avoiding the slaughter of many in his company. A few years later isolated in a location of little strategic value, a small village of this
name was established in the mountains of Norway.
Excerpt 2:- Asgaut and Thorgaut Skerde:- Emissaries to the King of Sweden AD1016.
In this Legend two brothers of this name Asgaut and Thorgaut Skerde both held high ranking positions in the Court of King Olaf of Sweden, Asgaut a
Bailiff and Thorgaut appears to be a high ranking Warrior. Both were chosen as trusted Emissaries to Olaf and travelled on his behalf to Norway. This
Mission resulted in Asgaut's Death by order of the Norman King. Asgaut and Thorgaut are quoted many times in this extremely detailed Legend.
Excerpt 3:- The Death of Thorgaut Skerde:- AD1017.
Thorgaut died in battle a year after his brother.
It was a little under fifty years after Thorgaut Skerde's death, to the date of the Norman Conquest of England in AD1066.
The Heimskringala References:
Note: The afore mentioned appearance of the ancient Scandinavia variation found repeatedly in various threads, in Documents and Manuscripts and
BDM’s throughout England from four decades following the Conquest and all point to positions of influence. Conceding the obvious, that of course only
the affluent or persons of position were likely to be noted on any manuscript in early history, while the rest of the population stood in silent obscurity, this
‘air of importance’ shadowed the lives of many Scard Families up until the late 18th Century, often holding positions requiring literacy and competence,
none merely content to labour for another, all were found successful, holding Leaseholds and Freehold Estates and independently working in their
respective professions or Trades. In these early appearances many of their daughters were found to be literate, also a sign of Family Position familiar of a
once affluent ancestry.
Another presented Origin of the Name in England was found in a the township of Scarborough Yorkshire where their Folklore relates to two Viking
brothers who settled there around AD966. The Legend tells how they settled in the place they called Skarthi’s Burgh, or Skarthi’s Stronghold renamed
Scardburger and now known as Scarborough. Folklore tells that it is probable that Scarbourough was named after this Viking.
[www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/Scarborough.htm]
This Legend seems to be expanded in a Work published by Marjorie Morgan 1991‘Scarborough, Scarbrough – Vikings to Quakers’ presents an article, with
reference to the early settlement of the township of Scarborough by two Vikings in AD966; “….. but Thorgils was nicknamed Skarthi (Skaroi), in Old
Norse this is said to mean "Hare Lip…" [www.scarbeary.com/famscar2.htm].
The Names Skerde, Searde, Skerd and Seard found in early records were often proved to be transcription errors of the Name ‘Scard’. Of the early entries
relating to the latter name found in the A2A, three of five were claimed as definite proven Scard Family Members from Southern England currently under
Study. Other variations proved to be of this Family Name were found under variants such as Scood, Searl, Scaad, Scaard & Scark. Spelling variations are
endless. The Names and Shard & Scharde and their Family connections have not yet been investigated.
Some Early References to the Name in Northern England - AD1333 – AD1700
The Anonimalle Chronicle [late 14th Century], covering historic periods 1333 – 1381 written in French by an anonymous monk at St. Mary’s Abbey,
Yorkshire in the late 14th Century depicts The Pheasant’s Rebellion quelled by the child King Richard II who [AD1381] at the age of 14yrs applied mercy
to the pheasant rebels. The Book: JSTOR ‘The Authorship and Value of the Anonimalle Chronicle; Author A.F.Pollard gives reference John Scarde who is
mentioned twice. JSTOR states in context; “ …and one or two contemporary John Scarde – burghs are described as ‘clerk alias….” and “….. another
puzzling circumstance in the apparently sudden effulgence of John Scarde – Burghs in the last quarter of the fourteenth century and their equally …”
This document has not been investigated.
There are many early references to the Name in its variants in England dating from early AD1400-AD1700 and an index to these documents can
be viewed on the site National Archives A2A online. Most entries have a brief but informative Synopsis attached to each Document included in
the Index. These earlier references relate mainly to Northern England and due to the volume of entries and that the purpose of this Page is
concentrated in Southern England, these References were left at the discretion of the reader to explore. An example of the Index is submitted;
Dated 1592: Leicestershire: “A letter from Sir Martin Frobisher requesting either Nicolas or William Heyricke to lend him five pounds until the
evening. A note added by Robert Seard [Frobisher’s servant], acknowledges the receipt of 40 shillings.” The earliest found Vital Records
relating to the Name again in it's ancient Scandinavia form 'SKERDE' were fragments transcribed on the LDS Site for two marriages in
Essex; Jane in 1559 and John in 1566.
Appearance in Southern England
The earliest found recorded appearance of the name in Southern England presents again in its close ancient form at Somerset in the burial of Mary Scarde
on the 21st December 1629 at St. Mary’s Bridgwater [FHO] and later a burial of Thomas Seard on the 29th October 1680 at All Saints Aishold Somerset
[FHO], 7 miles from the former entry, considered to be of the same family. By the very early 1700’s evidence appears of an established family module and
in Northern Dorset some 27 miles South East. This very early North Dorset settlement was in the area of Child Okeford, Sutton Waldron, Shaftesbury,
West Stour and Stourpaine, all these villages contained within a 6 mile radius. Because of their close proximity to each other they are considered to be
extensions of the one family. A few years later satellite modules were found in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, other separate distinct modules settling in
other parts of Dorset and a small faction in the far south at Devonshire and West Lulworth. Apart from the two modules in the far south, the village
estimated at the epicentre of this radiation was around Iwerne Minster in North Dorset and this Village has been used to equate the proximity of the later
developing satellite settlements [in miles].
Fragments;
1701 a Burial of Thomas Skeard, 18th May 1701 St. Bartholomew Anglican Sutton Waldron. DOR [FHO]. Distance: 0.6 N.
1703 an Apprenticeship of Richard Scard, son of William, Child Okeford, Dorset, yeoman, to Robert Barrett, 8 Apr 1703, Masons' Company. [Origins].
Distance: 2.2 WSW.
1708 a Burial of John SKARD date 19 Nov 1708 at Sutton Waldron, St Bartholomew Anglican DOR [FHO].
Developing Families;
1709 Shaftesbury: Distance 5. 0 N. On the 6th July 1708 a marriage was recorded at Shaftesbury St. James between John Scaard and Mary Upjohn by
Banns [FHO]. John and Mary had three recorded children; Thomas baptise exactly a year later on the 1st July 1709 followed by two daughters baptise at
the same venue; Mary on the 2nd April 1711 and Ann on the 27th July 1714 [FHO]. A change of venue to the Holy Trinity Church at nearby East Stour a
year later recorded the burial of “John Scard of Cann on the 5th January 1715” [OPC]. Distance: Cann 4.4 N [Iwerne] & .06 S [Shaftesbury]. At the death of
her husband John, Mary was already in the early stages of pregnancy and seven months later at nearby East Stour another daughter Elizabeth was baptise
on the 8th August 1715 [Elizabeth daughter of John Scard of Cann G971 baptised 8 Aug.1715. [OPC]]. On this same day Mary was recorded buried at the same
venue [East Stour Shaftsbury Mary Scard, wife of John of Cann buried 8th August 1715. [OPC]]. It is considered that Mary died shortly after childbirth. A few
Upjohn Families and the Scard Families mentioned above were in the area at this time and if any of the children of this marriage survived it is considered
they were cared for by either of these maternal or paternal Families. There were only three later ‘unplaced’ Scard Family Members and may be connect to
these to children; Thomas Scard of Iwerne Minster [Will ] – 1770 [unplaced] , Elizabeth Scard at Shroton –1785 [Burial] [unplaced]. Another was John Scard
at East Stour – 1791 [Burial] [unplaced].
Although now the name is appearing more frequently now, a few more fragments are outlined below;
1718 the Apprenticeship Document of Barrett Henry, son of Robert, citizen and mason (deceased), to Robert Scard, 22 Aug 1718, Masons' Company [Origins]
1719 Devonshire: Evidence of Family activity was found in Topsham and nearby Exeter Devon in various Baptisms issuing from Walter and Rebbecca Scard
and one for John and Mary Scard dated 1727 [LDS].
1720 the Burial of Thomas SCARD Date 2 Feb 1720 at Sutton Waldron St Bartholomew Anglican DOR. [FHO].
1722 the Baptism of Sarah SCARD d.o. William & Mary Date 21 Jun 1722 Parish Stourpaine.
1723 the Burial of Mary SCARDE 29 Jan 1723 at Sutton Waldron St Bartholomew Anglican DOR . [FHO]
1744 the Burial: Walter Scard, 14th February 1744 at West Stour [FHO]. Distance 7. 0 NW.
1736 West Lulworth: Documents dated from this period were found indicating Family activity to the far south Dorset at West Lulworth. Distance: 19.0 S.
1746: Woodford & Mere, Wiltshire: The marriage by License of Thomas Scard to Jane Lawrence was recorded in this vicinity [Fittleton] 16.0 NNE, on the
17th August 1746, their bondsman was Henry Lawrence. Thomas and Jane moved to nearby Mere after a few years and settling there established a large
family module, which endured for many generations.
1751: Cerne Abbas: A marriage took place between William Scard and Elizabeth Jenkins at Minterne Magna just 14.8 WSW and 0.4 miles from Cerne
Abbas. Recorded as “both of Cerne” the couple remained at Cerne and subsequent records show that they procured Deeds relating to Estates in the area,
establishing a family module in this township, which was to endure for many generations. William’s ancestry has been linked by other sources as the son
of Walter Scard and Rebecca nee Burford issuing from the Devonshire area as previously mentioned. Other sites found on the Internet seem to agree with
this finding; William baptised 4th July 1725 and buried at Cerne 20th April 1760. His siblings were Elizabeth baptised 31st March 1719, Mary bapt.
25th Nov. 1722 and John bapt. 15th March 1728. This Family flourished and much has been written of them at various Web Sites.
1754: Hampshire: Following a burial of Mary SCARD 25 Aug 1754 at nearby Sopley 21.0 ESE there was a marriage recorded for James Scard and Elizabeth
Guthridge at Christchurch 6th December 1758. Various fragments were found at Havant and families were established at Alverstoke, Gosport and
Portsmouth. Much research has been done regarding these families and is easily accessible on the Net. Insurance Documents and other Material was
found relating to this Family at the A2A Site. Wills were found on “National Archives Documents Online”.
Two interesting documents were also found;
1756 Sherborne: 14.3 W; A marriage between Betty Scard and Henry Sherman on the 22nd June 1756. Henry was a soldier in the Grenadier Company
and both he and Betty were recorded as residing in that village and their bondsman was Joseph Bowman, Corporeal of the same Company [FHO].
1765: Blandford Forum: Reference to a document was found, said to be held at the Dorset Archives which revealed that in nearby Blandford Forum just
5.0 SE at the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, a girl Jane Scard, was known to have presented with an illegitimate child. The child’s father was named as
Jonathan Crofts late a soldier belonging to the Earl of Waldegraves Regiment of Dragoons. On the 15th July 1765 [A2A], as was the procedure at that time,
the Overseers of the Poor in the Vestry of that church undertook the matter on her behalf as it was within the power of the Vestry at this time to petition
the wages of soldiers for the upkeep of any illegitimate children born to them.
Sources:
Online Medieval and Classical Library: The Heimskringala. Website:- omacl.org/Heimskringla/trygvason2.html
National Archives Documents Online (NAO); www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline
National Archives Online A2A (A2A):- www.a2a.org.uk
Dorset Record Office (DRO):- Link directed from National Archives A2A.
Wiltshire Record Office (WRO):- Link directed from National Archives A2A
Dorset Online Parish Clerk (OPC):- www.dorset-opc.com
The Mills Archive Online (Mills Archive):- www.millsarchive.com
Latter Day Saints International Genealogical Index (LDS IGI)
Origins Network Online (Origins)
Note: Although there is usually only one Source noted for each document entry and whilst this Source may be a Subscriber Site,
it is suggested that other sources and 'free' Sites often have the same entry available.
All Sources are Quoted as Abbreviated
mailto:adasca@westnet.com.au