Surname Woodhead - Meaning and Origin
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Woodhead: What does the surname Woodhead mean?
The last name Woodhead is a toponymic surname derived from a place name and typically refers to someone from a place with a name that contains the Old English words "wudu" (wood) and "heafod" (head). Woodhead likely originated as a locational name for someone from one of the places called Woodhead, which are found in Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Yorkshire in England.
Woodhead likely has occupational origins too, as some who held the name were woodcutters, foresters, or dwelt near a wood. This is supported by the fact that Woodhead is a common forest place-name in England, likely derived from 'wych-hyde', meaning a wood gap or a glen in the woods.
Etymologically, Woodhead can be linked to other similar English surnames such as Woodhead, Woodhead, Woodson and Woodard, all of which are derived from a place with woods or forests in the recipient's proximity. Although Woodhead is not an especially common last name, it is known to have been used since at least as early as the 1700s.
Bankrupted branches of the family, likely fleeing from difficulties in their native areas, could also be found in the US and other countries during the 20th century. The popularity of Woodhead is often spread throughout rural areas of England, Wales and Scotland among the agricultural and mining communities or those employed in the timber industry.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodhead: Where does the name Woodhead come from?
The last name Woodhead is mostly commonly found in the United Kingdom, though it has spread to the United States, Canada, and Australia as well. In the United Kingdom, most Woodhead families come from the County of Lancashire, particularly the cities of Blackburn, Rochdale, and Burnley in the North West of England. The last name is most often heard in the small towns of these areas, and a few surrounding counties.
In the United States, Woodhead families can be found primarily in areas of the Midwest, such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio. The name is also spread throughout the United States, including the South, and occasionally in the Northwest and Northeast.
In Canada, Woodhead is present in Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, though these concentrations are more sparsely populated.
Finally, in Australia, the name Woodhead is often found in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Though it is more widely distributed today than it used to be, it is not as popular in other parts of the world like Asia, Africa, or South America.
Variations of the surname Woodhead
The surname Woodhead is derived from England, Scotland and Ireland. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near or worked at a wooded headland of land, from the Old English words wudu meaning wood, and heafod meaning head. Variants, surnames and spellings of the same origin include Woodheed, Woodhed, Wudhede, Woodhitt, Woodehead, Woodeed, Woodheade, Woodlaw, Woodeat, Woodt, Woodtet, Woodit, Woodie, Woodhut, Wudhede, Woodiwit, Woodit and Woodheady.
In Scotland, the Woodheads could also be of Norse origin, derived from the Old Norse words for wood and head, as well as the Old Norse words, vatn, meaning marsh or lake and heitr, meaning bright or light.
Numerous variations in spelling of the surname Woodhead have been found over the centuries, including Woodheed, Wudheade, Wudhede, Wudhed, Woodhed, Woodhitt, Woodheadt, Woodheady, Woodhwitt, Woodhit, Woodhytte, Woodeat and others.
The Woodhead surname has also been found as a Christian name in records dating back to the 16th century.
In England, the Woodhead surname can be found in Yorkshire and Lancashire in particular, and is found throughout the United Kingdom.
In Scotland, the surname has been found mainly in Fife.
The Woodhead surname is also common in Ireland, originating in the counties of Dublin and Waterford.
Famous people with the name Woodhead
- Robin Woodhead: British entrepreneur, author and public speaker who was previously the president of Unilever’s Ventures business for 8 years
- Becca Woodhead: British writer known for her work as a creative copywriter
- Andy Woodhead: former English footballer who played as a forward for Leeds United
- Robert Woodhead: British actor who appeared in the movies The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and The Iron Lady
- Karen Woodhead: award-winning British makeup artist, hair stylist and grooming expert
- Richard Woodhead: British classical violinist and composer
- Nick Woodhead: British adventurer, extreme sport enthusiast and former member of the British skydiving team
- Paul Woodhead: British judoka and former Olympic bronze medallist
- Pete Woodhead: British electronic synthesizer pioneer
- Mark Woodhead: British climbing expedition leader and the author of 'The First Ascent of Everest'