Surname Birdwell - Meaning and Origin
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Birdwell: What does the surname Birdwell mean?
The last name Birdwell is believed to have English and Scottish origins, derived from the old English and Scots words “bird,” meaning “the bird” or “broad wood,” and “well” meaning “stream or spring.” Put together, Birdwell can be translated as “the stream of the broad wood.” This is confirmed in historical records from Scotland, where the related surname “Birdwole” is mentioned in counties such as Aberdeenshire in the 13th century.
The name Birdwell is thought to have come to England with the Norman Conquest of 1066, when French and Norman settlers settled in large numbers in many parts of the country. From this point on, Birdwell, like many other surnames, became common as people moved around and families sought to distinguish themselves from one another.
Similar surnames exist in various spellings, such as Birkwood, Byrkwood, and Brookwood. In modern times, the name Birdwell still appears to exist mainly in English speaking countries such as the United Kingdom. It is seen occasionally in other English-speaking countries.
The name Birdwell is not overly common today, but the name represents a rich history that dates back centuries. Although the true origin of the name is unknown, it is a reminder of the past, when the woods were wild and untamed, and streams and fresh water sources plentiful.
Order DNA origin analysisBirdwell: Where does the name Birdwell come from?
The last name Birdwell is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Birdwell surname was most prevalent in the state of Texas in 2020, with a population of 482. It was also found in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Oklahoma, as well as other US states such as Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The name Birdwell can be traced back several centuries, first appearing in the New World in the 1600s when settlers from Britain began to arrive. Birdwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it was a locational name derived from a place located in Cornwall, England. It was likely recorded there in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Birdwell surname is also found in records from the period of the American Revolution, suggesting that many Birdwells served in the Continental Army and later in the Armed Forces.
The distribution of Birdwells in the United States is likely due to the fact that people of Anglo-Saxon ancestry traveled from England in large numbers in the 1700s and 1800s to start new lives. As of 2020, the Birdwell surname is still a common one in some areas of the US with a population of over 21,000 people who share the surname.
Variations of the surname Birdwell
The surname Birdwell has variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin.
Variants and spellings of the surname Birdwell include Byrdwell, Burdwell, Birdall, Bydwell, Byrdwell, and Byrdwell.
Other surnames of the same origin include Battenwell, Bullenwell, Boxwell, Buswell, and Brusewell. These surnames appear to have originated from England, most likely in the East Midlands. It is likely to be derived from a location from which the family lineage originated, such as a particular village or town.
The surname Birdwell can also be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and Australia, among other countries. In the United States, many Birdwells are from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and North Carolina. These states all have a history of having many people of English descent.
The surname Birdwell is likely to have originated in England, and is believed to have derived from a topographical name of someone who lived before the 16th century, most likely near a hill or mountain. It may also have originated from a place name, such as the village of Birdwell in Bedfordshire in England.
The Birdwell surname has a variety of variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. It appears to have originated in England and has spread around the world since the sixteenth century.
Famous people with the name Birdwell
- Dean Birdwell,former Major League Baseball pitcher and coach.
- Alfred Birdwell,American football player.
- Delaney Birdwell,British Paralympic cyclist.
- John Birdwell,an American football and basketball player.
- Steve Birdwell,former professional bodybuilding champion.
- Col. Thomas Birdwell,first Black chief pilot with an American Military Flight Unit.
- George Birdwell,novelist and poet from Georgia, USA.
- John S. Birdwell,American custodian, cement contractor and politician from Virginia.
- Alfred Birdwell,Jr.,American football player and wrestling coach.
- Jack Birdwell,former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Eddie Birdwell,American football player.
- Matthew Birdwell,American seed company founder.
- Ross Birdwell,former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Finis E. Birdwell,former Arizona state legislator.
- Ryan Birdwell,professor of surgery at the University of Kentucky.
- Elisabeth Birdwell,American television production assistant.
- Pat Birdwell,former Australian rules football player.
- Wendy Birdwell,National Football and National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee.
- Western Birdwell,American actor and producer.
- Ralph Birdwell,former professional Canadian football player.