Surname Woodyard - Meaning and Origin
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Woodyard: What does the surname Woodyard mean?
The last name Woodyard is derived from a Norman French occupational surname. The origin of the surname was a woodsman or woods keeper, and it first appeared in records during the 12th century. The primary responsibility of a woodsman or woods keeper was to oversee and manage the trees and harvesting of wood for various purposes. In Scotland, woodsmen were often employed by monasteries to take care of nearby woodlands. This responsibility varied from taking care of livestock, to maintaining paths and tracks, and managing the firewood supply.
Woodyard is still an active surname throughout Britain and Europe today. The surname is common mainly in north western parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in Lancashire. There are also many family variations of Woodyard throughout Britain, such as Woodyarde, Woodyrd, Woodard, and Woodward.
The surname Woodyard has also made its way to the United States where it is being taken up anew by some immigrants. Although not a common name in the States, it is becoming much more popular as descendents of immigrants bring the surname on to the American shores.
In summary, the last name Woodyard is an occupational surname used to refer to a woodsman or woods keeper who was responsible for taking care of the woodlands and its associated duties. The name is still active throughout the UK and other parts of the world, and it has also been taken up by new immigrants to the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodyard: Where does the name Woodyard come from?
The last name Woodyard is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Southern states. The 2000 US census estimated that there were 8,972 people with the last name Woodyard living in the United States – 78% of them living in the South. Over half of those – 4,560 – were living in the region consisting of the states of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.
The Woodyard surname is believed to be derived from a place name, either a woodyard (where wood is stored) or a street name. Researchers suggest that the origin of the name may be from Anglo-Saxon settlers in England, especially in Yorkshire, where the surname was first found in the 12th century.
In modern times, the Woodyard surname is still pretty common in the United States. While many clans have moved away from their Southern roots, many are still living in the same areas where their ancestors settled. There are also many Woodyards in other parts of the country, especially in the states of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Arizona.
Variations of the surname Woodyard
The surname Woodyard is thought to be of English origin and is quite a common name. It is said to have derived from a locational source and people bearing this surname would have originally lived near a wood or timber yard. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Woodard, Woodyarde, Woodyardy, Woodjerd, Woodjard and Woodyerd.
Woodard is the most popular variant of the Woodyard surname and the spelling of the name has remained fairly consistent over time. It is also found in variations such as Woodward and the Irish spellings Woodwart and Woodword.
Woodyarde, Woodyardy, Woodjerd, Woodjard and Woodyerd are variations of the same surname, but each spelling has slightly different roots. The spelling of Woodyarde or Woodyardy can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where people bearing this surname would have lived in close proximity to wood works or yards. Woodjerd, Woodjard and Woodyerd, on the other hand, are modern renditions of the ancient spelling Woodyard.
Overall, the surname Woodyard and its various variants can be traced back to medieval England and could have first derived from a locational source. Variants of the Woodyard surname include Woodard, Woodyarde, Woodyardy, Woodjerd, Woodjard and Woodyerd.
Famous people with the name Woodyard
- Mackenyu Woodyard: Actor known for roles in films such as Gintama and Princess Jellyfish.
- Cpl. Joshua L. Woodyard: U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient.
- Mignon Woodyard: Professional surfer and coach.
- Cindy Woodyard: American actress best known for her roles on television and on stage.
- Joey Woodyard: American football player who played for the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
- Rod Woodyard: MLB pitcher who played for the Houston Astros in the early 2000s.
- Bobby Woodyard: Former NFL player for the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs.
- Charles Woodyard: Logger and blues singer from Humboldt, California.
- Lawrence Woodyard: Professional football player who played for the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.
- John S. Woodyard: Member of the Ohio House of Representatives in the early 1900s.