Daniel Heyward of Charles Town is said to have come to SC from "Little Eaton near Derby" around 1670, which would make him among the first European settlers in South Carolina. His descendants make a distinction among Hewywards and Haywards, noting that Heyward meant "Hedge warden" which is supposed to have meant something like a registrar of mesne conveyance. Hayward is presumed to be connected to straw. I can't immediately guess what Heywood meant. I believe in the 1700s the name was also sometimes spelled Howard or Haward. Daniel's grandsons were prominent colonial South Carolinians and their descendants are legion. I am always glad to meet a Heyward cousin, but am particularly eager to collect as many as possible for a reunion this weekend.