Origin of the surname Wood

This famous and popular English and Scottish surname is of pre 7th century Olde English origins. Recorded in several forms including Wood, Woode, Woodd, Wod, Wode and the locational Woods and Woodes, it derives from the word "wudu" meaning a forest or wood. It was originally given either as a topographical name for one who was resident by a wood, or who in the case of the plural Woods related to a person who was both resident in the wood and who obtained his livelihood from the wood, probably as a forester.

The surname is first recorded in the early half of the 13th Century (see below) and appears in a great variety of records during that century. These early examples include: Roger del Wode of Yorkshire in 1274; John Atewode of Essex, in the same year; William in le Wode of Cambridgeshire in 1279, and Henry Bythewode of Sussex, in 1296. The earliest recorded namebearer in Scotland was William Wod, a witness at Cawdor in 1295. Judy Wode was christened on October 28th 1549, at St. Margaret's church, Westminster, and Margarett, the daughter of John Wood, was christened on October 18th 1550 at St. Nicholas Acons, in the city of London. One of the earliest emigrants to the new colonies of America was John Wood, aged 26 yrs., who embarked from London on January 2nd 1634, settling in Virginia. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Walter de la Wode. This was dated 1242, in the "Fines Court" rolls of the county of Herefordshire, during the reign of King Henry 111of England, 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax.

The surname Wood. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Research into the possible origins of wood leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname wood is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname wood, and in addition to the original locations of wood, we can find out where people with the surname wood can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of wood.

The surname Wood around the world

There is a considerable probability that wood has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where wood is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname wood provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname wood has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Wood

The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named wood are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname wood, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of wood developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname wood are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname wood.

It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of wood could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about wood and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname wood or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of wood.

Notable Figures Named Wood

We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname wood, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname wood were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like wood can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname wood, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname wood who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Wood and its bibliographic sources

The bibliography collects information related to the surname wood, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of wood are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname wood, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of wood.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of wood, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Wood