Surname Wooddall - Meaning and Origin
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Wooddall: What does the surname Wooddall mean?
The last name Wooddall is an English surname, derived from an Old English word meaning “wood dweller”. This indicates that the original bearers of this last name were likely involved with the woods and woodlands, either in terms of logging, woodland management, or living near the forests. During the Middle Ages, many families adopted this last name in order to differentiate themselves from others, and also to reflect their occupations. Wooddall may also be an occupational name for someone who lived or worked in a wooded area.
The Wooddall surname is found primarily in Great Britain today, according to Ancestry.com. Records indicate that the earliest known reference to this name dates back to 1284, in the county of Berkshire. It was found in the Pipe Rolls, which were a collection of documents related to taxation and local government. Throughout England there are several variations of this surname, including Woodall, Woodhall, Wodhall, Woodhills, and Woohills.
Historically, many of the Wooddalls are said to be descended from the noble house of Woodhall. They were a significant medieval family in the Wodhall region, and were noted in the early 15th century. This family held many high titles throughout the centuries, and were involved in the politics of their time.
Today the Wooddall name is still widespread across England and across the world. It is part of a rich history of tradition, nobility, and the outdoors. Many modern Wooddalls still carry on these traditions, by finding work in forestry or simply embracing their family's history.
Order DNA origin analysisWooddall: Where does the name Wooddall come from?
The Wooddall surname is found all over the world today, but is most commonly found in England and Ireland. It has often been seen to have a connection to the nickname 'wood-dweller'. This suggests that the surname holds evidence of a person whose ancestors have originally lived a rural lifestyle, typically living and working among the woodlands.
In England, the majority of people with the Wooddall surname are distributed throughout the West Midlands and Southwest, in cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, and Nottingham. In Ireland, most people with the Wooddall surname can be found in Dublin and Cork.
The Wooddall name has a distinctly English origin--it first appeared in Derbyshire in the 12th century. It is also found in Scotland, where families with this surname first appeared in Ayrshire in the 16th century.
In the US, the name Wooddall is fairly uncommon. The 1930s US Census showed a total of 283 Wooddall families, 228 of which were in the state of Pennsylvania. The geographical distribution of these families indicates a possible origin of the name in Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants from Germany. People with the Wooddall surname can also be found in Canada, especially within the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.
Variations of the surname Wooddall
The surname Wooddall is an Anglo-Saxon surname, with origins in the United Kingdom. It is a variant spelling of the more common Woodall surname. Variants of the name include Woudall, Wudall, Woodalle, Woodhall, Woodhall, Woodhalg, Woodlaw, Woodpill, Woodpole, Woodrow, Woodruff, Woodruffle, Woodruffe, Wooddell and Woodill.
Woodall is derived from the Old English word 'wodehale', which means somebody who lived near a wood, specifically a wooded slope or hill. It is likely that the surname developed from a family who resided in the area for several generations.
Wooddall is connected to many other surnames, with possible Anglo-Saxon origins, including Woolall, Woodwidge, Woodruffle, Woodbine, and Woolacott. It could also be linked to the surname Weeldall, which is of Scandinavian origin.
Common spellings of Wooddall can include Woodall, Wudall, Wooddell, and Woodill. Another variation of the surname is Woodage, which is derived from a location-name: 'atte Wode' or 'Woodhill'. Woodhage is also an alternate spelling and could be a variant of Woodage.
Wooddall is a reasonably common surname throughout the British Isles and many families share a common ancestor from the surname's early origins. It is especially common in Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales.
Generally, the surname Wooddall is an ancient name from Anglo-Saxon origins and has many different variants, spellings, and connections to other surnames. It is fascinating to explore a surname that has such a long history and changes in form throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Wooddall
- Michelle Wooddall: Emmy award-winning documentary film director.
- Ryan Wooddall: Entrepreneur and President of the energy and sustainability start-up Energy BASIS LLC.
- Christopher Wooddall: Poet, author, and former Nippon Telegraph and Telephone International Employee.
- Paul Wooddall: Tony Award-winning stage actor.
- Elarnie Wooddall: British actress.
- Gigi Wooddall: Olympic multi-event athlete.
- Blaine Wooddall: Professional golfer and winner of PGA Tour of Canada.
- Kia Wooddall: Brazilian left back soccer player for the NWSL.
- Thor Wooddall: American-born British author and scriptwriter.
- Nick Wooddall: British sailor and world-record holder.
- Lillie Wooddall: First woman runner-up in the Miss America pageant.
- Cassandra Wooddall: British MG racing driver.
- Joe Wooddall: 18th-century English playwright and actor.
- Wilfrid Wooddall: Australian scientist and Nobel Prize nominee.
- Lawrence Wooddall: 19th-century English actor and comedian.
- Henry Wooddall: 17th-century English composer and organist.
- Guy Wooddall: English engineer and first curator of Royal Arsenal museum.
- Victor Wooddall: Financial executive and Managing Director of William Blair.
- Garrett Wooddall: Investment banker and co-founder of Spear Street Capital.
- Josiah Wooddall: 18th-century English folklorist and chaplain.