Wood Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms

What does Wood mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.

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Origin of the Wood name

Wood is an English topographic surname for someone who lived by a wood, from Old English wudu, or an occupational name for a woodcutter or forester. Because woodland was everywhere, the name arose independently in many places and ranks among the most common surnames in England.

Our historical archives hold much more on the Wood name: dates, names and records of early bearers.

This overview covers the Wood name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.

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Wood name FAQ

What does the Wood name mean?

Dweller by the wood. Common variants include Woods, Atwood, Woody.

Where does the Wood surname come from?

It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.

Is there a Wood coat of arms?

Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Wood crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Wood coat of arms based on historic heraldry.

Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.