Surname Woodsmall - Meaning and Origin
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Woodsmall: What does the surname Woodsmall mean?
The surname Woodsmall is an English toponymic surname, which means that it is derived from the name of a place or geographical feature. Woodsmall is likely derived from either Middle English or Old English terms meaning "little wood", usually referring to a small forest or wooded area.
The name is quite common in Great Britain, having been carried over by settlers to America, Australia, and New Zealand. As a result, the surname Woodsmall can be found across the English-speaking world.
The Woodsmall family is thought to have originated in the Lowland Scotland prior to the 13th century, when the surname Heodisemel was first recorded. Over time, the surname evolved into Woodsmall as the spelling changed with alterations in the English language.
In some cases, the surname Woodsmall is also an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname MacGiosail, likely derived from the Old-Irish personal name Giosal. This does not suggest, however, that many people surnamed Woodsmall are of Irish heritage. Similarly, some families have borne the surname for many generations and it does not necessarily indicate a specific ethnicity, national origin, or shared ancestor.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodsmall: Where does the name Woodsmall come from?
The last name Woodsmall can be found today in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the majority of people with the last name Woodsmall can be found in the states of Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
In the United Kingdom, most people with the last name Woodsmall can be found in London and the South East of England; however, there have also been some reports of people with this last name being present in Northeast England and Scotland.
In Canada, the last name Woodsmall is most common in Ontario, particularly in the Greater Toronto area. The cities of Ottawa, Vancouver, and Calgary also have populations of people with this last name.
In Australia, the last name can be found in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. It is most commonly found in and around the cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Overall, the last name Woodsmall is quite widespread across the globe. Though most common in the countries mentioned, there are people with the last name Woodsmall located in many other countries, including South Africa, India, Singapore, and France.
Variations of the surname Woodsmall
The surname Woodsmall has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Woodsmal, Woodsmol, Woodsmole, Woodmal, Wootsmole, Wodsmill, Wodsimill, Woodsmeln, and Woodsmill. This is a common surname and can be found in many different countries.
Woodsmall comes from the old English word “wud of small”. This means “the small wood” or “the clearing of small trees or brush”. This was often used to describe a clearing in the woods that was used as a camping ground or a place of rest and shelter. This name is likely to have been taken on by individuals who lived in or near these types of clearings.
The Woodsmall spelling of this name can also be found in Germany, where it is spelled “woetsel”. This is a dialect variant of the original spelling. The Wodsmill variant of this surname can also be found in Scandinavia, and it means “around the mill”. This again indicates that this surname was likely linked to people who lived near a mill.
The spelling variation of Woodsmall can also be found in other areas of Europe and also in other countries such as Australia and the United States. People who had this surname left in search of a better life or to escape persecution in their homeland. The spelling of this surname has evolved over time as these individuals and families moved into different areas.
In conclusion, the surname Woodsmall has a wide range of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is a common surname that is found across Europe, Australia and the United States, and it likely derives from individuals who lived or worked near the woods, clearings or mills. The spelling of the name has evolved over time as these individuals and families have relocated and moved to different locations.
Famous people with the name Woodsmall
- Abigail Woodsmall: Actress who has starred in productions such as The Santa Clause 2, Chatterbox and The Spiral Notebook.
- Adam Woodsmall: Former professional hackeysack player who won four world titles in the sport.
- Eric Woodsmall: Actor and writer best known for his roles in The Pleasantville Colour Cycle and Death of a Shark.
- Gregory Woodsmall: Olympic fencer who represented the US in the 1936 Berlin Summer Games.
- Joe Woodsmall: Musician and producer who has performed and collaborated with several well-known artists, including Bob Dylan.
- Karen Woodsmall: Award-winning author of books such as The Miracle at Apple Grove and Little Wheels Keep On Rolling.
- Mark Woodsmall: Technician and film editor whose extensive filmography includes credits on the Read All About It series.
- Michael Woodsmall: Retired college football coach who served as the head coach of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes from 1954 to 1957.
- Nate Woodsmall: Jazz trumpeter who has released albums such as Soul Thoughts and When I'm in Dreams.
- Paul Woodsmall: Retired American basketball player who played center/forward for the University of Pennsylvania in the 1970s.