Surname Woodhall - Meaning and Origin
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Woodhall: What does the surname Woodhall mean?
Woodhall is an English surname thought to be derived from a place name located in Hertfordshire. It is believed that the family of Woodhall came from the village of Woodhall, which still exists today.
The name itself has two parts. The first part is 'wood', which obviously refers to trees or wooded areas, while the second part of the name, 'hall', implies that the family lived near a grand building or stately home.
The first record of the name was in 1245 when William de Wudeahalle was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Cambridge.
Woodhall is a very old name that has been around for centuries. Its meaning is undoubtedly rooted in the idea of living near a wooded area, and likely to have been chosen to reflect the area of Hertfordshire in which the family first settled.
It is still a popular name today, often found in England and its influence on the United States. Those who bear this surname can be proud to know that they are part of a long and respected tradition of family names.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodhall: Where does the name Woodhall come from?
The last name Woodhall is quite common in the United States today, especially in the Midwest and Southern regions. It originated in England during the Middle Ages and was brought to the United States by immigrants who settled in the Midwest beginning in the late 1700s. The name is a combination of two words: “wood” and “hall.” It came from the nickname the English gave to people who owned or worked on a wooded estate.
The highest concentration of individuals with the last name Woodhall is in Ohio, especially in the Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland areas. The name is also quite prevalent in Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Other states with a large presence of Woodhalls include Iowa, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Woodhall surname is often found associated with historically prominent families in each of the states mentioned above. In addition, many Woodhalls are prominent in business, art, entertainment, sports, and politics.
Today, Woodhall is still found all over the United States. It is an inspiration to many, and represents a reminder of the strength of courage of those whose names have withstood the test of time.
Variations of the surname Woodhall
The surname Woodhall is mainly found in Great Britain and can be traced to Old English. The variants of this name can be spelt asWoodall, Wolhall or Woodhull and derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “wudu-halh”, meaning a “forest nook or retreat”. It could have been an occupational name for someone who lived in a forest or worked in its vicinity and was derived from an agricultural term.
The variants of Woodhall can be found as Woodall, Wudhalh, Wudhall, Woodall, Woolhalle, Woodhall, Woolhall, Woolhalla and Woodhull. In some cases, the spelling might be corrupted to Waldhall, Waldhale, Waldall, Walhall or Wollhale. These variants may be found with hyphenated surnames such as Wood-Hall, Wood-Hull or Wool-Hall.
The surname has also evolved into many different family names, such as Woolfall, Woolfel, Woolvett and WCouldwell, which are derivatives of Woodhall. The name is also present in some forms of Jewish patronymic names, such as Woodhiller, Woolfein and Woolfott.
Woodhall is a relatively common surname, with a large number of variations and derivatives, lending evidence to its long and varied history.
Famous people with the name Woodhall
- Shaun Woodhall: Former South African cricketer
- Roy Woodhall: Former English footballer
- Malcolm Woodhall: Former English footballer
- Marcus Woodhall: Former English footballer
- David Woodhall: British Organ Professor
- Dave Woodhall: Former English footballer
- Leslie Woodhall: Canadian track and field athlete
- Lauren Woodhall: Professional British tennis player
- Steve Woodhall: Former professional British footballer
- Edwin Woodhall: Welsh politician