Surname Woodhouse - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering the Unseen: How iGENEA DNA Test Redefined My Understanding of My Woodhouse Ancestry
Delving into my ancestry via a DNA test at iGENEA, I’ve gained unexpected insights about my family lineage. From a surprising connection to Scandinavia to an undisclosed link with Eastern Europe, the test offered an expanded scope of self-understanding, creating an invigorated curiosity to explore my diverse roots.
F. Woodhouse
read moreWoodhouse: What does the surname Woodhouse mean?
The last name Woodhouse is an English topographical name for someone who lived near a forest or an area of woodland. It is derived from the Middle English word "woodhus," meaning a house in a wooded area or the outskirts of a village.
The surname Woodhouse came to England with the Norman Conquest and was brought by followers of William the Conqueror. The Woodhouse name is found mainly in England and Scotland, though it is also found throughout other countries including Ireland, Wales, and the Scandinavian countries.
In some cases, the Woodhouse surname may refer to someone who lived close to a building that had been built from wood; the term would have referred to the dwelling and not necessarily that it was in a wooded area. Many early records of people with the surname Woodhouse can be found in court and land records dating back to the Middle Ages, and these records refer to an individual typically owning or occupying land that was located outside of the village.
Woodhouse is an interesting name – on one hand it may refer to a rural area where a large wooded area was present, and in some cases it may refer to land that was located in a built up area. As such, it is a great way to research a family's background and roots, and to learn more about the ancestry of those bearing the surname Woodhouse.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodhouse: Where does the name Woodhouse come from?
The last name Woodhouse is quite common in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. It is thought to have originated in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk where many communities still have clusters of Woodhouse families. It is also common in Wales and northern Ireland. Outside of the British Isles, it is most commonly found in the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. In the United States, Woodhouse is particularly concentrated in the state of Texas, especially in the cities of Dallas and Houston.
The Woodhouse name is usually seen as a English surname, although it likely originated elsewhere. Certain variants such as Woodward and Woodard have derived from Old English, while others like Wynhausen (used in Germany and eastern Europe) appear to have originated in mainland Europe. The meaning of the name is believed to be derived from "wood house," referring to someone who lived near a wood or by a wood.
It's interesting to note that the Woodhouse name has been an inspiration for many writers. The character of Mr. Woodhouse in the Jane Austen classic Emma is a beloved portrayal of the English fat, and the character of Peter Woodhouse in the film version of Emma (starring Gwyneth Paltrow) is a memorable one. Similarly, J.D. Salinger's character Seymour Glass was born Seymour Woodhouse in his the 1945 short story “A Perfect Day for Bananafish.”
Variations of the surname Woodhouse
The Woodhouse surname has a unique history that spans many parts of the world. It is derived from the Olde English word 'wudu', meaning ‘wood’, making it one of the earliest recorded surnames. Early records of the Woodhouse family include William de Wudhus of Yorkshire in 1250.
Variations in spelling of the surname are a result of its early translation into other languages and migration. One of the more common variants is Woodhouse. Other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include: Woodhouse, Wudehus, Wudihuus, Woodhuish, Woodhous, Woodhouse, Woodhouser, Woodhouse, Woodhusse, Woodhers, Woodhead, Woodehall, and Wodeshouse.
These surnames represent multiple generations of generations of Woodhouse families. There is very little documented evidence of the exact locations and dates of these migrations. However, many records indicate that the Woodhouse family has held on to their early surname, travelling and migrating all over the world.
Woodhouse surnames are found in many locations, spanning the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, United States, as well as other parts of the world. As such, it is likely that the Woodhouse surname has multiple origin stories represented in its variations. It is a unique surname with a long history that allows us to trace a family’s origins over many centuries.
Famous people with the name Woodhouse
- Jordan Woodhouse: A British Artist who has work displayed in various locations, museums, and galleries.
- Sandra Woodhouse: An American former fashion model and current actress.
- Wavy Gravy: An American counterculture figure, peace activist, former disc jockey, and comedian.
- Marv Woodhouse: Former Major League Baseball player who retired in 1954.
- Jeff Woodhouse: Former professional hockey player with the AHL, NHL, and IHL between 1987 and 1997.
- Richard Woodhouse: A British economist, theologian, writer, and Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.
- Kathi Woodhouse: An American businesswoman and the former Chief Executive Officer of Pole Position Productions.
- Mervyn Woodhouse: British Army Major-General, former Director of the Army Legal Services from 1988-1990.
- Charles Woodhouse: An influential Barrister’s Clerk, who was the first clerk to be elected to the London Solicitors’ Association Committee.
- Emma Woodhouse: The protagonist in the novel “Emma” by Jane Austen.