Surname Woodman - Meaning and Origin

Woodman: What does the surname Woodman mean?

The last name Woodman is an English occupational name that means “woodman” in most cases. It is derived from the Old English words “wudu” and “man” meaning forest worker. The name was likely given to people who worked in the management, cutting, and gathering of firewood.

In English records, the name Woodman first appears in Hampshire around the 11th century, while the earliest recording of the name dates back to 1260 in Somerset and 1272 in Essex. Soon after, the surname spread throughout England and Wales and eventually began to appear in other English-speaking countries.

Today, there are many variations of the Woodman surname. Furthermore, the name is still commonly found throughout England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. In some cases, the spelling of the name has been altered to Woodmane, Woodmansey, and Woodmancy.

Those who share this surname can take pride in their familial history as having a direct ancestral tie to the land and its stewards. The name is a reminder of those who took to the fields and worked with their hands and hearts, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

Woodman: Where does the name Woodman come from?

The Woodman surname can be found all over the world, though its distribution is most prevalent in the countries of England, Ireland, and Wales. It is estimated that the Woodman surname is most numerous in England, with approximately 51,000 individuals with the name. Ireland and Wales have smaller populations, with approximately 1,000 and 2,000 individuals, respectively.

In the United States, the Woodman surname is most prevalent in Massachusetts. The population of Woodman individuals in Massachusetts is estimated at 6,200, which is much higher than the national average. Other states with sizable Woodman populations include Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with 1,300, 1,000, and 1,500 individuals, respectively.

Outside of the United States, Woodman is also a popular surname in other parts of the world. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and South Africa are all countries with sizable numbers of individuals with the Woodman surname. The name can be found in some parts of Europe as well, such as German, Italy, and Spain.

Ultimately, Woodman is a popular surname that can be found on almost every continent. It is most numerous in England, but also appears in various other countries around the world. With an estimated 80,000 individuals bearing the name, it is clear that the Woodman surname has remained popular throughout history.

Variations of the surname Woodman

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Woodman are: Wood, Woode, Woods, Woodmane, Woodmanse, Woodmans, Woodmen and Woodmanson.

Wood

Wood is a fairly common surname which derives from the Old English word wudu. It was a nickname for someone who worked in the woods or lived near woodland, and this was reflected in the Old English word wudu-wise which meant dwellers in or near the wood.

Woode

Woode is a variant of the surname Wood. It is an old English variant which is still used in the present day. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word wudu, which referred to someone living near or working in the woods.

Woods

Woods is a variation of the surname Wood and is of English origin. It is thought to have initially been a nickname for someone who was a butcher or one who worked in the woods.

Woodmane

Woodmane is an old English variant of the surname Woodman. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word wudu-man, which meant a man living near or working in a woods.

Woodmanse

Woodmanse is an old English variant of Woodman. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word wudu-manse, which meant dwelling near a woods.

Woodmans

Woodmans is a variation of the surname Woodman. It is an old English variant which is still used in the present day, and is thought to have been derived from the Old English word wudu-mans, which referred to someone living near or working in a woods.

Woodmen

Woodmen is an old English variant of Woodman. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word wudu-men, which referred to men living near or working in a woods.

Woodmanson

Woodmanson is an old English variant of Woodman. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word wudu-mansone, which meant the son of a man living near or working in a woods.

Famous people with the name Woodman

• Bruce Woodman: Canadian tubaist and composer.
• Anne Woodman: British actress.
• Ernie Woodman: former New Zealand cricketer.
• James Woodman: English actor.
• Paul Woodman: former English footballer.
• Ryland Woodman: English actor.
• Jonathan Woodman: author, producer, and filmmaker.
• Sam Woodman: Australian musician.
• Norman Woodman: English clergyman and historian.
• Alexander Woodman: Scottish author and journalist.
• Charles Woodman: Canadian businessman.
• Geoff Woodman: American politician.
• John Woodman: British naturalist and illustrator.
• Reg Woodman: British motorcycle racer.
• Steve Woodman: former English professional footballer.
• Vere Woodman: English lawyer and politician.
• Zachary Woodman: contemporary American painter.
• Roderick Woodman: Australian politician.
• William Woodman: American musician and composer.
• Ron Woodman: American record producer and songwriter.

Other surnames

WoodmancyWoodmanseeWoodmore