This interesting and unusual name is of English locational origin from "Garway", seven miles from Monmouth in the county of Hereford, which was recorded "Garou" in the Ancient Charters (1135), "Langarewi" (1199) and Garewi (1227), in the Charter Rolls of Herefordshire. The place name means "Guoruoe's track", Guoruoe being a Late Latin personal name, plus the second element "weg" a track. The surname itself first appears in records in the late 13th Century, (see below). The daughter of Henrie Garway, Alis was christened at Staunton on Arrow, Hereford in 1560, while Johan, daughter of Harrie and Johan Garway there also on November 11th 1605. William, son of William and Anne Garraway was christened at Aston Ingham on January 12th 1842. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Garewy, which was dated 1292, Placita de Quo Warrauto, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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