Surname Attwood - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Attwood: What does the surname Attwood mean?
The surname Attwood is of English origin, and it derives from the Middle English term "at the wood". It is a topographic name or a habitational name, meaning it typically referenced a geographic area or a specific location where an early member lived or owned land. The person bestowed with the name Attwood would have lived by, or in close proximity to a wood or a forest, possibly indicating a profession related to the forest such as a woodcutter or forester. Variations of the name include Atwood, Adwood, Attewood, and others. This name became popular in medieval England and later spread to other English-speaking countries. Like many English surnames, Attwood can sometimes be traced back to a specific village or town, offering insights into the family's history or place of origin. With time, Attwood has spread across the world, carried by waves of English emigration. Today, individuals with the surname can be found in places as far-flung as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisAttwood: Where does the name Attwood come from?
The surname Attwood originates from England and is of Anglo-Saxon descent. It was first used during the Middle Ages and is a locational or topographic type of surname. The name 'Attwood' means 'at the wood.' It refers to individuals who lived by a wood or forest.
The usage of such surnames began when families adopted a distinct place name component into their existing family names, usually to distinguish themselves from others while in a new location. Sometimes, the new name referred to the owner of the land which they moved to.
Today, the highest population of Attwood families are found in the United States, but it is still a common surname in England as well. It is particularly prevalent in the Midlands region of England. Other countries where the name can be found include Canada, Australia, and Wales. Despite its dispersion in several countries, Attwood is not a very common surname. It ranks as the 7,003rd most popular surname in the world.
Variations of the surname Attwood
Atwood is the main variant of the surname Attwood. It is an English surname that is derived from someone who lived 'at the wood.' Various spelling of the surname can include Atwode, Attwode, Atwoode, and Attwoode. Variations of the surname Atwood also exist such as Atward, Atweard, Attward, Atwaters, and Attwaters.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, Elwood, Norwood, and Linwood derive from the same English tradition of denoting residential proximity to a geographic characteristic. The prefix 'At' or 'At the' was attached to numerous surnames to differentiate people in the same regions with the same names. It was common to identify individuals based on where they live, occupation or the name of a father or ancestor.
Despite the variations and similarities, a unique surname like Attwood might not have exact equivalents in other cultures, as surnames are often unique to particular cultural or regional histories. However, similar mechanisms of naming based on geographical features certainly exist across many cultures and languages.
Famous people with the name Attwood
- Chris Attwood: A British singer-songwriter, he had a string of hits in the 1970s, including "Something's Bothering You", "If My World Stopped Turning" and "Daytime."
- George Attwood: A British film producer, he is best known for producing the hit 1967 movie "Carry on Doctor".
- David Attwood: An English television director and producer, he directed several episodes of the Doctor Who series in the 1970s as well as producing, directing and editing a number of other television dramas.
- Jeff Attwood: Also known as Coding Horror, he is an American blogger and programmer, best known for his popular blog of the same name.
- J.L. Attwood: A British author, he wrote both fiction and non-fiction works including "The Way of the Christian Missionary", "The Lord's House" and "The Christian Atonement".
- Sarah Attwood: A British businesswoman, she founded Sarah-Jayne Attwood Ltd. and is currently a board member of numerous companies.
- Scott Attwood: An American actor, he appeared in the television shows Lincoln Heights and Hawthorne.
- John Attwood: An English footballer, he was a professional playing for several teams in the 1950s and ‘60s including Walsall F.C. and Swansea Town.
- Ernest Attwood: An Australian public servant, he was aboard commissioner of the Public Service Board from 1911 to 1915.
- Daniel Attwood: A British politician, he was Member of Parliament for Stourbridge from 1906 to 1910.