Surname Spotwood - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Spotwood: What does the surname Spotwood mean?
The last name Spotwood is believed to be of Scottish origin, possibly related to the city of Spot in Scotland. This name may have originated from the Middle English word 'spot' which means a small spot or marking on the skin. It is thought to have been given as a nickname to someone with an unusual skin marking or blemish.
The surname Spotwood has been found to date back to as early as the 12th century, with the first recorded spelling of the name being 'Spottwode.' It is believed to have been originally a location-based surname referring to someone who had lived in or around a wooded area with spots on it.
During the Middle Ages, Spotwood was a common name in the areas of Scotland, Wales and England, and was often an occupational name as those who were given the name were typically associated with the timber trade.
Today, the name Spotwood is still common in Scotland and is also seen in other parts of the United Kingdom and the United States. The name is also spread around other parts of the world as a result of emigration and immigration over decades and centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisSpotwood: Where does the name Spotwood come from?
The surname ‘Spotwood’ is not widely documented around the world, however, its origins are believed to stem from several countries. It is most likely derived from either British or French origin.
In Britain, the surname is documented as originating from several regions, aside from England. Known regions of British origins include Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. During the period of the Norman Conquest (1066-1087), the Surname Spotwood is documented as having spread from England into Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Records indicate that the name was distributed throughout the British Isles in the centuries following the Norman Conquest, making it a common surname in certain regions today.
The surname is also documented in France. Possible origins trace back to the Occitan-speaking region on the South-western coast. The Occitans were a minority spoken in France dating back as far as the 8th century. There are records which suggest that the name Spotwood arrived in France in the 1800s and spread around the region, particularly in the departments of Pyrenees-Atlantiques and the Basque country, where it is still present today.
In terms of today, the surname Spotwood is rare in many regions, however, it is most likely present in certain regions in the British Isles, France, and cognate territories. One hypothesis is that it has been more widely dispersed due to subsequent migrations from both Britain and France during the centuries that followed the initial settlement of the name.
Variations of the surname Spotwood
Spotwood is an interesting surname because it has a variety of different spellings and surnames that are all derived from a common origin. Spotwood is thought to have come from the Old English term “spott,” which meant “splotch” or “stain.” This term was used to describe people who had an area of dark skin, which may have been caused by a birthmark or similar discerning feature. Alternatively, Spotwood may have derived from an area in Suffolk, England where many of the even earliest records of the name are found.
Surnames derived from the same origin as Spotwood include Spottswood, Spotswood, Spottswood, Spotswood, Spotasswood, Spotwoode, Spotward, Pottswood and Poteywood. Variations of the spelling of Spotwood include Spotwode, Spotwod, Spotwoodd, Spotwodd, Spottwood, Spottwod and Spottswode.
Many of these spellings and surnames may also have derived from a place in Suffolk called “Spottwode,” a Middle English for “wood or clearing with splotches or stains.” Whatever the origin, these surnames all have a common and interesting history.
Famous people with the name Spotwood
- Dennis Spotwood: an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1967 to 1969.
- Matthew Spotwood: a professional basketball player who recently signed with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
- Cindy Spotwood: a former American professional golfer who competed on the LPGA Tour.
- Lisa Spotwood: a former American swimmer who competed in three Olympic Games.
- Elijah Spotwood: an American actor who starred in the Disney Channel original movie Stuck in the Suburbs.
- Stephen Spotwood: an actor and writer who has appeared in several television programs and films, including The Americans, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Nancy Drew.
- Valerie Spotwood: an American curler and the skip of the United States women's curling team.
- Pandora Spotwood: a British film and television actress best known for her roles in films such as A Beautiful Mind, The Prince and Me, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
- Ida Spotwood: an English television and film actress, best known for her role as Daisy in the British comedy-drama series The IT Crowd.
- Caspar Spotwood: a British TV, film and stage actor, best known for his roles in the films The Wolfman and The Phantom of the Opera.