Surname Woodside - Meaning and Origin
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Woodside: What does the surname Woodside mean?
The last name Woodside has its roots in medieval England and refers to a person who once lived near or in a wooded area. The word itself is derived from the Old English words ‘wudu’, which means ‘wood’, and ‘sae’, which means ‘side’ or ‘ridge’ – so its literal meaning is ‘wood side’ or ‘wooded side’.
Being near a wood was a strategic advantage for inhabitants in past centuries, since wood was a valuable resource for building and firewood, and trees provided shelter from the elements. In order to ensure easy access to the woods in the case of danger or some other emergency, inhabitants of wood-rich areas often developed their homes closer to where the trees were located – hence the name Woodside.
Over time, Woodside has become an established surname. It is found across Europe and the United States, where many families bearing the name have ancestral roots in England. These are mainly descended from those who migrated to North America during the 1700s and 1800s, although some are likely descended from the English inhabitants who started settling around the Woodside area centuries before.
Today, the last name Woodside is a proud indication of a unique ancestral connection to the past history of England and the people who lived and worked in the wooded areas near it. The last name continues to be handed down through generations, often as a reminder of the hardy spirit of those hardy people who chose to call the wooded areas their home.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodside: Where does the name Woodside come from?
The last name Woodside is most commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the name is most common in New York, with just over 3,000 people with the surname. Other states with high population numbers of Woodside include California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Virginia.
In the United Kingdom, the name is most often found in Yorkshire, as well as in the counties of Lancashire and Kent. Within Yorkshire, the name is particularly common in the towns and cities of Newcastle upon Tyne, Bradford, and Leeds. Additionally, Woodside is a region of South London where many of the name holders currently live.
Woodside is also a common surname in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. In these countries, the name is most often found in the more metropolitan cities and areas.
It appears that this surname has been around for many centuries, with records of Woodside families stretching back as far as the 16th century in England. It is likely that the name originated in the North East of England or Scotland. Today, the most common descendants of the original families can be found in the United Kingdom, United States, and other English speaking countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Woodside
The surname Woodside has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include:
Woodsides– This spelling is the most popular spelling of the surname, used frequently around the world, including in Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Wudside– This is an alternate spelling, mostly seen in Scotland and Ireland.
Woodsey– This spelling originates mainly from Great Britain.
Woodesey– This is a variant of Woodsey, and is still seen used occasionally in Great Britain.
Woodsie– Another variant of Woodsey, this spelling is seen sporadically in Scotland and Ireland.
Woodyside– This is a considerable rarity, used mostly in the United States.
Woodysides– This spelling is just as rare, seen in the United States and occasionally in Scotland.
Woodeside– This is a much more common spelling, seen in Scotland and occasionally in Great Britain.
Woodsides– This is the most frequent spelling of the surname. It can be found in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Wodsides– This is an alternate spelling, seen primarily in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
Woodzides– Another rare variant, this one is seen primarily in Scotland.
Wudsides– This spelling is seen infrequently, primarily in Scotland and the United States.
Woodesides– This is a frequent spelling variant, found mainly in Great Britain.
Woodssides– This spelling is seen occasionally, in Scotland and the United States.
Woodsside– This is a variant of the more common Woodsides spelling. It is typically seen in Scotland and the United States.
Wodsid– This spelling is extremely rare, seen in Scotland and the United States.
Woodzy– Another rare spelling, seen mainly in Scotland.
Woody– This spelling is a rarity, seen mainly in Scotland.
Wooding– This spelling is nearly extinct, used mostly in Scotland and the United States.
The surnames Whitlow, Whitlaw, and Whitelaw are also derivatives of Woodside, as they all share a similar meaning of ‘white meadow’. These surnames have also been seen in Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Woodside
- Will Woodside — professional soccer player
- Katherine Woodside — Paramount Pictures executive
- Lily Woodside — English actress
- Mary Woodside — human rights activist
- Mitchell Woodside — Australian rugby player
- Paul Woodside — British actor
- Pauline Woodside — American painter
- Tom Woodside — American football player
- Zack Woodside — Singer-Songwriter
- Alison Woodside — Professional cheerleader
- Logan Woodside — American Football player
- Dax Woodside — American actor
- Gregory Woodside — English tennis player
- Grant Woodside — American golfer
- Robert Woodside — Canadian soccer player
- Stephanie Woodside — US Navy diver and Paralympian
- William Woodside — English rowing coach
- Brady Woodside — Race car driver
- Lydia Woodside — English sculptor
- Roberta Woodside — Population Health Research Nurse
- Gavin Woodside — British judo athlete
- Carol Woodside — Former Deputy Director at IMF
- Carolyn Woodside — Artist
- John Woodside — Australian Olympic swimmer
- Joanne Woodside — American biochemist
- Renata Woodside — American fashion designer
- Aimee Woodside — Zookeeper
- Bill Woodside — Former NBA player
- Denise Woodside — Public Health Law Expert
- Dominic Woodside — British actor
- Duncan Woodside — Professional wrestler
- Brad Woodside — Canadian Politician
- John Woodside Jr. — American football player
- Jay Woodside — British athlete
- Kevin Woodside — Professional baseball player
- Mark Woodside — New Zealand Rugby Player
- Shane Woodside — Professional soccer player