Surname Watwood - Meaning and Origin
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Watwood: What does the surname Watwood mean?
The last name Watwood is derived from an Anglo-Saxon name meaning "watchman in the forest." The Watwood name most likely originated among a group of people who were charged with watching over a large forest or woodland, tasked with protecting it from poachers or troubles, and possibly even from intruders.
In addition, Watwood could also have its origin in the Old English words "water" and "wood." This could be referring to someone who lives near or in a wood next to a riverbank. The association with water could also be tied to Watwood's habit of fishing, as water was a valuable asset for any settlement area during medieval times.
Throughout its history, the last name Watwood has been common in England, especially in the areas around Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Surrey. Records from the 11th century show Watwood families in Norfolk, indicating that the name has been around since at least that time.
The Watwood name has a long and proud history in England and beyond. It is a fittingly noble name for those whose ancestors lived to guard forests and vigilance the waterways.
Order DNA origin analysisWatwood: Where does the name Watwood come from?
The last name Watwood is not especially common today, but it can be found in a number of places around the world. In the United States, Watwood is mostly found in the southeast, specifically in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. It is thought that many of the Watwood families in the US originated in England and later immigrated to the New World.
In the United Kingdom, Watwood is relatively rare, but it can be found in small numbers in England, Scotland, and Wales. It is believed that the name has its origins in a Viking personal name, Vatki or Watki, meaning "forest warrior." In Scandinavia, Watwood is commonly found in Norway.
According to research, the Watwood family name is also commonly found in Australia and New Zealand, as well as France, Italy, and Germany. In South Africa, colonial settlers of British and Dutch descent who were formerly known as 'Van Wood' later adopted the surname Watwood.
Overall, Watwood is not especially common today, but it can be found in various places around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Australia, South Africa, and numerous other countries.
Variations of the surname Watwood
The surname Watwood is derived from the Old English word “watervord,” which means “ford (crossing) by the water.” Variants of this surname include Watwood, Watwode, Landwood, Lawood, Waterwood, and Waterward. Variations in spelling also include Watwodd, Wattwode, Wattywud, Watywode, Watewood, Watewode, and Watywood.
In some cases, Watwood is also understood as a patronymic surname meaning “son or descendant of Wat,” and its variants also include Watton, Waddington, Wattley, Watterson, Wadsley, and Wadham.
Variations of Watwood have also been found in Scotland, where variant spellings include Wakewood, Wedwood, and Wattwood.
In the United States, Watwood may also be anglicized as Waters, Woodard, and Waldron, and spellings of this surname vary from state to state. In certain places, the name may also be found as Wooten, Whittamore, Wootten, Woodward, Woodworth, and Wootton.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the surname Watwood is mostly found in Englad and Wales. Variations of this surname in Ireland include Watton, Wootten, Waxton, and Machon.
In England, other spellings of the surname include Patient, Paton, Patson, Pattison, Paterson, Patrickson, Paterson, Pederson, Petterson, and Penderson.
The Watwood surname is most commonly found in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is believed to have originated with migrations of the Anglo-Saxon people who settled in these regions before the 18th century.
Famous people with the name Watwood
- Michael Watwood: Former Senior Vice President of Athletic Advancement at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Emma Watwood: Canadian politician and current member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
- Lewis Watwood: British mountaineer, explorer and writer.
- Kaycee Watwood: American actress known for her roles in the TV series "The Vampire Diaries" and "Pretty Little Liars".
- Diane Watwood: American artist and sculptor who is best known for her figurative ceramic sculptures.
- Joe Watwood: English cricketer who has represented the East of England in county cricket.
- Tony Watwood: British artist specializing in portraiture painting.
- Frederick Watwood: American politician who served as the Mayor of Middletown, Delaware in the early 1920s.
- Ryan Watwood: American volleyball player who is currently signed to Zenit Kazan in the Russian Super League.
- Wilbur Watwood: American politician who served in the North Carolina General Assembly from 1983 to 1990.