Surname Arwood - Meaning and Origin
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Arwood: What does the surname Arwood mean?
The last name Arwood is of English origin and is a locational surname, most likely derived from someone who formerly lived in a wooded area.
This placename is derived from two Old English words, "earr," meaning a wild boar, and "wudu," meaning wood or forest. Therefore, Arwood can be translated literally to mean “The Wood of the Boar”.
The name would have been descriptive of a place where boars were present, possibly where they were hunted regularly. Alternatively, the surname could have been given to someone in the village who acted as a caretaker or manager of the forest.
The surname Arwood can be found all over England, with the greatest concentration seen in the counties of Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, Northumberland and Oxfordshire.
The earliest records of the name Arwood can be traced back to 1247 when a William de Arwood was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Huntingdonshire.
An analysis of population data suggests that the Arwood surname is most prevalent in the United States, particularly in the Southern states. The highest concentrations of the name Arwood in the US can be found in the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
It is believed that the name Arwood was likely brought to the United States by British immigrants during the colonial period.
Order DNA origin analysisArwood: Where does the name Arwood come from?
The Arwood surname is most concentrated in the United States, with the majority of those who bear the name living in the South and Midwest. The states with the highest number of Arwoods include Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
In the United States, the top 10 cities with the highest number of Arwoods include Memphis, TN, Nashville, TN, Clarksville, TN, Evansville, IN, Murfreesboro, TN, Springfield, TN, La Vergne, TN, Clarksdale, MS, and Muscle Shoals, AL.
It is also quite common in England, with a significant population living in London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Additionally, the surname is quite frequent in Canada.
Overall, Arwood is neither a very common nor rare surname. It is primarily concentrated in the southern United States, England, and Canada, but there are also populations of Arwoods scattered across the globe in countries such as Germany, France, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Arwood
The variants of the surname Arwood include Arwood, Arward, Arword, Arwarde, Arwerd, Arwardt, Arwerdt, Arwerth, Arwertht, Arwurd, Erwood, Erward, and Erwerd. Arwood is derived from the Old English words “ærha,” which means “hare,” and “wudu,” which means “wood” or “forest.” It is thought that the name may have referred to a person who lived in a woodland area or had some connection to hares in the forest.
By tweaking the spelling of the original surname Arwood, many other surnames can be derived. Arwud, Arwerd, and Arwerdt are variants where either the “ar” juxtaposed with the “w” or the “d” has been switched. Additionally, an “e” can be added in between the “a” and the “r” making the variant “Arwerth.” The middle “e” can also be doubled making the variant “Arwertht.” Furthermore, the “a” can be switched with an “e” making the variant “Erwood,” “Erward,” and “Erwerd.”
These spellings were all derived from the Old English words “ærha” and “wudu” and were used to denote someone with a connection to a forested area or hares. These variants are all still in use today and the diverse spellings can be a great help when researching one’s family history.
Famous people with the name Arwood
- Ryan Arwood: NFL linebacker who began his professional career in 2013 with the New York Jets and currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Charles Arwood: American actor best known for his roles in the television series Emergency! and Babylon 5.
- Lisa Arwood: Author of the international fantasy series, the Airen Chronicles.
- Alejandro Arwood: Columbian actor, director, and producer best known for his work on Reina de Corazones and Sin Retorno.
- Austin Arwood: American photographer and digital media artist whose work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.
- Jered Arwood: British actor best known for his roles in the soap operas The Bill and Casualty.
- Dale Arwood: Retired American NBA player who played for the Denver Nuggets in 1996-97.
- Wade Arwood: Professional poker player who has won several major tournaments in Europe and the United States.
- Karl Arwood: Professional snowboarder who has competed in multiple world-class competitions.
- Julie Arwood: American actress and voice artist who is the voice behind many popular cartoon characters.