Surname Hazlewood - Meaning and Origin
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Hazlewood: What does the surname Hazlewood mean?
The surname Hazlewood is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words 'haesel' and 'wudu' - a pre 7th century term meaning "hazel wood". The name can be locational or topographical, denoting someone who lived near or in a hazel wood area. Several places within England have names related to hazel woods, such as Hazlewood in Yorkshire, Hazelwood in Derbyshire, Hesilwood in Northumberland, and Hesslewood in Yorkshire. Thus, the surname could also indicate someone hailing from these regions. Hazel trees were widespread in ancient British forests and significant due to their nuts that served as an important food source. ‘Hazel’ is also associated with wisdom and learning in Celtic lore. Hence, the surname Hazlewood evokes images of lush woods and verdant landscapes. Like many other surnames, spelling over centuries has evolved, and as a result, variations such as Haselwood, Haisell, Heselwood, and Hesilwood have appeared.
Order DNA origin analysisHazlewood: Where does the name Hazlewood come from?
The surname Hazlewood is of English origin, deriving from a place named Hazlewood in Yorkshire, England. The place name means 'the hazel wood', from the Old English elements 'haesel', meaning hazel, and 'wudu', meaning wood. This surname became hereditary, signifying ownership or residence. It was first found in Yorkshire where they had been anciently seated as Lords of the Manor.
Today, Hazlewood is common in a variety of English-speaking countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. Notably, in Australia, it's recognized because of the fast bowler for the Australian cricket team, Josh Hazlewood. In the United States, it became famous due to singer-songwriter Lee Hazlewood. Despite this, the surname is not particularly common in any specific geographic region, suggesting that individuals with this surname have dispersed widely from its place of origin.
Variations of the surname Hazlewood
The surname Hazlewood appears in various forms due to regional variations, spelling errors, and phonetic spelling. The name is of English origin and is primarily a locational surname. It originally referred to individuals who hailed from places called Hazlewood in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, or Devon in England.
Alternate spellings and variants of the name include Hazelwood, Haselwood, Hasselwood, Haslewood, Heselwood, Heazelwood, Hayselwood, Hazelwood, Hazellwood, Heslewood, and Hesselwood, etc.
Notably, it was common in the Middle Ages for names to be modified to reflect the local dialect and customs. Therefore, these variations often indicate the geographic area where an ancestral form of the surname Hazlewood first evolved.
Additionally, Hasel, Hassell, and Hazel are surnames that have a common root with Hazlewood. These surnames have the Old English “haesel” as the source, meaning 'hazel tree'.
Overall, it's crucial to remember that the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent until recent centuries, which is why there are so many variations of the same names. Generally, the more ancient a surname, the more likely it is to have a wide array of spellings.
Famous people with the name Hazlewood
- Lee Hazlewood: singer-songwriter and producer best known for his work with Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.
- Maria Hazlewood: Chef and food writer.
- John Hazlewood: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Christine Hazlewood: British children's television presenter and actress.
- Peter Hazlewood: British soldier and writer.
- Sam Hazlewood: American football player who played defensive back for the Cleveland Browns.
- Lee Hazlewood Jr.: American musician and Broadway producer.
- Robert Hazlewood: American businessman, investor and philanthropist.
- Paul Hazlewood: British physicist and astronomer.
- Marwitz Hazlewood: British teacher and academic.