 Recorded as a Hundred in the Domesday Book [1086], its parameter layapproximately
12miles WSW of modern-day Township of Scarborough, Yorkshire. The Scard Hundred
was later host to 'The Fossard Castle of Mountferrant' near Birdsall during the 13th
Century. The Noble Family of this era go back quite far, extending 9 generations prior,
but only male progeny are recorded and unfortunately details of marriages have not
survived. Photos of the area can be found here.
The area at Scarborough was established circa 983 by the viking raider Thorgils Scarthi
[Þorgils Skarði], although later destroyed it was rebuilt in the early 12th Century.
The reference to Þorgils Skarði can be found in the Ancient Kormak's Saga.
The earliest reference to the Scard in England as a 'possible Surname' was
Margaret Scard the 5th Prioress of the Abbey at Yedingham in Yorkshire. The first
prioress was 'Sibil' in 1219, 'Beatrix' was next, Emma de Humblet in 1241, Gundred
in 1280 and Margaret Scard from 1290-1300. Although the word 'de' ['of'], as with
'Emma' [1241] is absent in nearly all transcriptions, the Surname is considered by most
to have been derived from her native region. Discussed in the work of David M. Smith -
'The Heads of Religious Houses, England and Wales, Volume2' quoted as 'Margaret
de Scard [Scarborough]'.
The General Prologue, Vol. 2, by Geoffrey Chaucer & Malcolm Andrew quotes the work of Power [1922] in that Nuneries in Mediaval Times were
recruited entirely from the upper classes. She also remarks at the increasing number of Burgess's daughters entering the Convents during
the 12th Century.
The Status of a Prioress was equal to that of the neighbouring Lords, and their Abbeys were often host to various Dignatories. This would
substantiate Power's claim, that Prioresses would have been born of significant Social Standing.
Certainly there is evidence of the habitational prefix 'de' during Margaret's appointment in the case of R. de Scard documented in 1297,
recorded on the inside page of the Great Charter of England ie;
''The Great Charter was printed by Blackstone from the entry in the Statute–Rolls in the Tower, but the
Record Commissioners have discovered and published a very fine original in the Archives of the City
of London with the Great Seal yet remaining suspended to it by a skein of twisted silk. It is written in the
Court-hand of the period and on the fold for the label is inscribed 'R. De Scard. Examinant-London'.
'An historical essay on the Magna charta of King John.....' Google Books
The name "Scarde-burgh", literally 'Scar-de-burgh' was documented many times in Mediaeval England, radiating from the
Township of Scarborough in Yorkshire where they held postions of Status. A few examples;
1282: Adam de Scardeburg, Prior of Ewerton.
1286: Robert de Scardeburg and others, executors of the will of Master John le Gras - Hampole.
1307: Robert De Scarde-burgh, one of the Justices of the Kings Bench in the 14th Century in Ireland.
1342: Robert de Scardburgh - late Prior of Bridelyngton.
1381: In the Book: ‘The Authorship and value of the ‘Anonimalle’ Chronicle’ Author A.F.Pollard, gives two
references to John Scarde-Burgh. Unfortunately only this cryptic extract is displayed online;
" ….and one or two contemporary John Scarde-burghs are described as; ‘clerk alias……
another puzzling circumstance is the apparently sudden effulgence of
John Scarde - Burghs in the last quarter of the fourteenth century and their equally …
Another reference give the same John Scard-burgh as one of 'the Mediaeval Under-clerks of Parliament, London
during this era.
1386/98 etc: John de Scardeburgh, clerk of the Chancery.
1411: William de Scardeburgh; admitted Master of Mary Magdalen's Hospital in 1411.
1439: The Will of Robert, son of Peter de Scardeburgh of Yeddingham.
1433: Power of Attorney: Date: 8 July 1433.
'Thomas son of John Mareschall to Nicholas Scardburgh to deliver
to Adam de Scardburgh seisin of two bovates of land in Glosbourn.'
Source: The National Archives, Kew
The possibility that any of these Families relinquishing the Suffix seems remote when the Name appears to have had much prestige.
The same applies to other variations such as Scarde-ville and Scarde-field.
Later Entry for 'SCARD'
DONASH PRIORY CHARTERS: SUFFOLK
Dodnash Priory was one of many Augustinian priories in the East Anglia area in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Contains the history of a small community that played a significant role in the economic and social life of southeastern
Suffolk County. The charters also provide information on the local lay society and canons of the priory.
Source: Ancestry.
ROGERO SCARD is noted as Testibus at Top of Page: Dated Monday 2nd Oct. 1373.
HENRY SCARD is noted as neighbouring land owner in Entry No. 204.
Note: on the Original Copy the two names are clearly SCARD.
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Moving closer Southward, there were several other very early entries found in the Name of SEARD, proved almost always to be an
error in transcription for SCARD [in later Wills, Deeds & Documents]. See Following Panels.
They are strongly considered SCARD Entries.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, Little Marsfield [Near the boarder of Somerset & Dorset];
Richard Searde [SCARDE], Clerk [witness]
The Bluet Estate - Inheritance: Daglingworth [Glos.] Date: [1410]
'Appointment by James Barkley lord of Berkeley and Isabel his wife of attorneys to receive [give?]seisin of the manors of Daglingworth and
Little Marshfield (Glos.) and Portbury (Som.), which James and Isabel had granted [had by grant of?] John [...],Simon Barton and
Richard Searde, clerk, 10 June 11 Hen. IV. National Archives Kew.
WORCESTERSHIRE;
William Seard [SCARD?], Yeoman born before 1467 - two Deed Documents at Hanley.
71 miles Nth of the later, known Scard Families at Wilts, Hants,Dorset,Somerset
Date: 10 March 1487: Was Witness to a substantial Deed Document.
'Confirming that William Baugh of Hanley has sold to Richard Wodeward senior of the same vill two tenements lying in Hanley in Roberts End
(Robertishend) with all their appurtenances of which one had been .........If either party fails to fulfil the terms of the indenture, a penalty of
[eth] 30 is agreed. Witnesses: James of Knottesford, bailiff of Hanley, William Seard , William Hanley, Roger Frewyn of the Forthey, Roger Bagger
and many others. Dated at Hanley. Seal: (on tongue) red wax, device of a crescent moon with a five point star in the crescent. (chirograph) (English)1.
Date: 21 February 1488. Mentioned in a Deed Document.
' ...Giving to Roger Frewyn of Le Forthey in the parish of Hanley one and a half day works of arable land with appurtenances lying in the field
called Northfield (Northefeld Le Hommeforlong), containing six selions, between the land belonging to the service (servicio) of St Clement in the
church of Hanley on each side, and extending in length from the land of William Seard [SCARD?] as far as the meadow called Westmore....
National Archives, Kew.
LEICESTERSHIRE:
Robert Seard [SCARD?], Servant;
From the Herrick Family Papers Catalogue Ref. MS.Eng.hist.b.216 and c.474-484:
Herrick Family of Beaumanor, Leicestershire. Sir William Heyricke Professional, official and financial papers. Letters and other papers
connected with private loans. Ref.MS.Eng.hist./c.477/fol.115
[National Archives, Kew - Record held at Worcestershire Record Office] Date: 1592
A letter from Sir Martin Frobisher requesting either Nicolas or William Heyricke to lend him £5 until the evening.
A note added by Robert Seard, [Frobisher's servant], acknowledges the receipt of 40s.
In A discourse found the Book 'Notes & Queries' published in 1863 enquires regarding the Scard name in association with the ancient
'De Scurth'- 'De Scuro' Families of Yorkshire with several published responses. These Names have NOT been followed.
As indicated above, over this four hundred year period there was little evidence of 'SCARD' as a Family Name, until it appears rather
suddenly around the mid 18th Century in an explosion of Documents & Parish Records throughout the Southern Regions of England,
in the Counties of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.
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Scard 
