Surname Wody - Meaning and Origin
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Wody: What does the surname Wody mean?
The last name Wody is of French origin, and is derived from the word "woody" or "woodie". The name was originally used to denote a person who lived in or near a woody area. This could refer to a forested area, a park, or even a garden.
In old French, the word "wody" was used to describe someone who was reclusive, or even eccentric. In this context, the name was often used to refer to a hermit or religious figure. The symbol of this type of person was usually a tree or bush, which might explain why the name originated as an occupational name for someone who worked with wood.
The modern spelling of Wody may also have been influenced by Germanic languages, as well as by the surname Woody, which was very common during the Middle Ages.
In the modern world, the surname Wody is most commonly found in France and Belgium, but is also widely dispersed across the globe. It is usually associated with those who are of French, Belgian, or even German descent.
In summary, the last name Wody has a long and varied history that is intertwined with different European cultures. Its original meaning was derived from old French, and referred to someone who worked in wood or was reclusive. It has since spread to many other countries, and is still recognized today as a French, Belgian, or German surname.
Order DNA origin analysisWody: Where does the name Wody come from?
The last name Wody (also spelled Wodeny, Wodney, and Woddey), is most commonly found in the United States today. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that, among the population of 310 million, there are presently around 500 people with this surname.
The surname is one of several German surnames derived from the personal name Wode, which was encountered in Germany and the Scandinavian countries during the Middle Ages. It likely originated from an Old Germanic form of the first name Walter, which itself comes from the Germanic words meaning “army” and “ruler,” literally translating to “ruler of the army” or “the commander.”
In the United States, the largest concentration of individuals with the last name Wody can be found in Pennsylvania—particularly in the southeastern part of the state. Other regions with significant populations include Michigan, where 0.02% of the population can be accounted for by those with the surname, as well as in New Jersey and Florida.
The surname is also encountered in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, where it is most commonly found in the London area. Additionally, there are also a few people in Canada, with the surname being most commonly found in the eastern provinces.
Variations of the surname Wody
The surname Wody is of Germanic origin and there are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of Wody is Wodey or Woodey, and it is often found in English records. Other variants include Wodie, Woddey, Woddie, Woddy, Wode, and Woddi.
In the German language, the surname is often spelled with a “z” in place of the “y”, such as Wodz, Wödz, Wödzi, Wödze, Wödzy, and Wödse. Similarly, the surname is often seen as Wozi, Wozze, Wozzy, and Wözsi in some German records.
In Scandinavian languages, the surname is typically spelled Wödi, Wodi, Wodæ, Wodsi, or Woedde. It is also sometimes seen spelled as Vuodi, Vödi, or Vödæ in Germanic records.
In Jewish records, the surname is often spelled with an “h” instead of a “y”, as Wodh, Wohdy, Wohdie, and Wohde. It is sometimes seen with an “f” instead of a “d”, as Wofy, Wofee, and Wofie.
Additionally, the surname Wody is also commonly seen in the form of a patronymic surname, often appearing as Wodson, Wodsun, Wodsan, Wodsin, Wodsen, and Wodsyn. In Jewish records, this patronymic form is often seen spelled as Wohdson, Wohdsen, and Wohdsyn.
Famous people with the name Wody
- Lill Wody: American gymnast and Twirling Hall of Fame inductee
- André Wody: French football manager
- Raj Wody: Indian film producer and actor
- Reinie Wody: American basketball coach
- Piers Wody: British motorcycle racer
- M.P. Wody: American lawyer and politician
- Rosaline Wody: German fashion designer
- Ron Wody: American mixed martial artist
- Matt Wody: Canadian actor and musician
- Saikat Wody: Indian National Amateur champion in Handball