Surname Woodgate - Meaning and Origin
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Woodgate: What does the surname Woodgate mean?
The surname Woodgate is believed to have originated in England, and is thought to be a topographical name derived from the phrase “at the woodgate”. This term was likely used to describe someone who lived by or near a woodgate, which is an area that divides a wood from open land. It could have also been used to describe someone who was guard or the keeper of the woodgate. In some cases, the surname could have also been occupational and used to describe a worker at an ironwood smelter.
The surname was recorded in old documents, such as the Doomsday Book of 1086, and is one of the oldest recognisable surnames in the English language. Woodgate has also been adopted as an occupational name in the United States, with families working in logging, carpentry, and other related professions taking on the surname in honour of their craft.
Regardless of its origin, the Woodgate surname has been used by many different families around the world, with the name becoming widespread throughout Europe and America. Today, Woodgate is most common in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, and is likely to remain a timeless and unique name for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodgate: Where does the name Woodgate come from?
The last name Woodgate is most commonly found in England today, although a few families have migrated throughout Europe and to other areas of the world. England is the birthplace of the Woodgate surname and the earliest documented use of the name was recorded in 1277.
The Woodgate surname is thought to be of English origin with the possible derivation from the Middle English 'Wytegata', meaning 'white gate'. This origin itself is likely from a house prominent along a main road, possibly white in color with its own entrance.
Woodgate can still be found in England predominantly in Derbyshire and Sussex. It is also well documented in Yorkshire and Durham. Most common today are the Woodgate branches in the English towns as well as its use as a first or middle name in mainland Europe. Woodgate is significantly less common in North America and Australia, although families have settled in these regions throughout history.
Variations of the surname Woodgate
Woodgate is an English and Scottish surname that is believed to have originated from a place-name. Woodgate can have many other spellings and variants, including Woodget, Woodgit, Wudgate, Woodgait, Woodgott, and Woodgatee.
In England, the Woodgate surname is derived from the Old English words "wudu," meaning a wood or forest, and "geat," meaning a path or gate. It could have referred to either a path or a gate between two sections of a wood, or a settlement near a wood.
In Scotland, Woodgate may have come from a place now known as Woodgate in Aberdeenshire. It is believed that the place was originally called simply “Geat” by the local people, and later became “Woodgeat.”
Some other possible variants are Woodgat, Woodgatte, Woodgate, Woodgatt, Wudigatt, Wudigat, Wudigate, Wudigate, Wudigott, Woodgattu, Woodgote, Woodgot, Woodgett, Wodget, and Woodgete.
It is also possible that Woodgate is a shortened form of a longer English surname, such as Woodcockgate or Woodcockgait. This could indicate that the surname is related to a family with Cock as a surname, with Woodgate originating from a place by the same name.
Woodgate is also used as a variant of Wodgates, another English surname. This could be a mishearing of the original Welsh name, Gwydyr. It is also a variant of the English surname, Wadgate. This could indicate a link with water, using the Old English words “wæd,” meaning water, and “geat.”
Famous people with the name Woodgate
- Jonathan Woodgate: A professional footballer and former coach of Middlesbrough Football Club.
- Richard Woodgate: An English investor, who was part of a consortium of investors that bought out the Drax Group in 2006.
- Robert Woodgate: A Welsh Naturalist, writer, and TV presenter, most notable for his series on the BBC travel programme Horizon.
- Adam Woodgate: A former English rugby union player, who played as a prop for England international teams.
- Bill Woodgate: A former English footballer who played for numerous clubs in the Football League.
- Robert Woodgate: An Australian actor, best known for his roles as ‘Rufus Sewell’ in The Holiday and ‘Deacon’ in Resident Evil: Extinction.
- Clive Woodgate: A retired British Ambassador to the United Nations and the European Union.
- Thomas Woodgate: A British musician who has collaborated with several rock bands as a bass player and keyboardist.
- Stephen Woodgate: An Australian actor, starring in The Voice UK as a mentor. He’s also appeared in Home and Away and Neighbours.
- David Woodgate: A former English field hockey player and current coach for the Netherlands’ senior women’s team.