Surname Woodrough - Meaning and Origin
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Woodrough: What does the surname Woodrough mean?
Woodrough is an English surname that derives from the Anglo-Norman term 'wode-rud' which translates as 'woody clearing'. This suggests that the first person to bear the name was a landowner who cleared a patch of woodland and settled there.
The use of the term 'rud' implies that the land was uncultivated, suggesting that it may have been a person of some status who was allowed to settle on the land. The 'wood' element could also refer to the family's own wooded lands from which they harvested timber and made a living.
It is believed that Woodroughs are descended from a Norman knight who followed William the Conqueror to England in 1066 and acquired lands around the village of Newbold, Derbyshire. This location is where the name is most commonly found today, with most Woodroughs living between the River Trent and Derwent.
In more recent times, the Woodrough family has been prominent in commerce and trade, as well as being prominent in the military - most notably Gordon Woodrough who was an RAF Officer in WWII and Baron Woodrough who was appointed Viscount of Woodrough.
The name continues to be held in proud regard by those who bear it, and is a reminder of the Woodroughs of days gone by.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodrough: Where does the name Woodrough come from?
The last name Woodrough is most commonly found in the United States. In 2019, the United States Census estimated that the population with the Woodrough surname is 8,420. The majority of individuals with this last name (6,365 people) reside in the state of Texas, making it the most common state for Woodroughs. Other states with notable numbers of Woodroughs include California (555 people), Missouri (273 people), Louisiana (274 people), Pennsylvania (261 people), and Florida (206 people).
In addition to the United States, individuals with the last name Woodrough have been found in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The Woodrough surname was most likely first introduced to the United States in the early 1800s, when many settlers immigrated to North America. It is likely that the many Woodrough's ancestor hailed from a British or Scottish origin.
It is important to note that the surname Woodrough is not typically found in other parts of the world. For example, the surname does not appear in records from Japan, India, or China. This implies that the particular individuals with the Woodrough last name likely have distant roots in the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia.
Variations of the surname Woodrough
The Woodrough surname is believed to have originated in medieval England, and has several variants and spellings that may be seen in modern-day records.
The most common variant spelling of Woodrough is Woodruff. Other forms of the surname can include Wodrop, Wordrup, Wordrope, Wordrufe, Wodrofe, and Woodrofe.
The surnames Woodroof, Woodroughs, Woodrof, Woodrofs, Wordrof, and Wordrofs may also be seen, though they are less common. These variants likely originated when an individual of the same family branch moved to another area, and the surname was unintentionally altered by a clerk or government official during the transcription process.
Other rarer versions of the surname can include Woodbrough, Woodburrow, Woodburgh, Wodburrough, Wodbrugh, Wodbreg, Woodbreg, Wodbroge, and Woodbroge, though each of these occurs far less often than the previously mentioned variants.
The Woodrough surname may also have derived from a predetermined location, such as Woodbridge, Woodrow, or Woodrowly. Surnames with this origin might appear as Woodridge, Woodrigge, Woodriffe, Woodruf, WodrFe, Woodrowe, Woodrowes, and Woodrusse.
These various variants of the Woodrough surname demonstrate its rich and varied history. In conclusion, while the most commonly seen version of the surname is Woodruff, other spellings—a result of changing pronunciations over time—may be seen in records from different time periods.
Famous people with the name Woodrough
- John Woodrough: John is an American YouTuber and video game streamer based in Los Angeles. He is best known for his game streaming sessions on Twitch, and has over 900,000 followers.
- Elizabeth Woodrough: Elizabeth is an American actress and voiceover artist from Los Angeles. She is most famous for her roles on popular television dramas and has been featured in movies such as Summerland, True Blood, Law & Order, and The Simpsons. 3.Jeff Woodrough: Jeff is an American baseball player, currently playing in the Minor leagues for the Baltimore Orioles. He has previously played for the Los Angeles Angels and the Florida Marlins. 4.Rob Woodrough: Rob is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles. He is best known for his Grammy-nominated single, "Selling Out", and his albums Peace or Consequence and Home. 5.Ferg Woodrough: Ferg is an American actor and comedian, best known for his roles in films such as Hot Tub Time Machine, Ted, and The Hangover. 6.Tyler Woodrough: Tyler is an American YouTuber and video blogger from San Francisco. He is best known for his entertainment and lifestyle videos, and has over 500,000 followers on YouTube. 7.Hank Woodrough: Hank is an American visual artist from Boston. His work has been featured in major museums and galleries around the world, and he is also well known for his signature abstract styles. 8.Bret Woodrough: Bret is an American musician from Boise, Idaho. He is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the indie band Home.