Woodson

The surname Woodson is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "wudu" meaning wood and "sunu" meaning son, thus translating to "son of the woodman" or "son of the forester." This name first emerged in the 12th century and was primarily concentrated in the counties of Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

The earliest known record of the name Woodson appears in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from the year 1195, where it is spelled "Wodessone." In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, the name is documented as "Wodson" in Warwickshire. These early records indicate the occupational origins of the surname, referring to individuals who worked as woodsmen or foresters.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Woodson, who was born in Staffordshire around 1290. He is mentioned in a charter from 1316 relating to land transactions in the village of Shenstone.

The Woodson family has a long-standing connection to the village of Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire, which was formerly known as "Woodeton" or "Wodeton" in the 13th century. This place name likely influenced the spelling variations of the surname.

During the 16th century, the Woodson name gained prominence with the birth of Sir Ralph Woodson (1530-1592), a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Staffordshire. His descendants continued to play influential roles in the county for several generations.

Another notable bearer of the name was John Woodson (1586-1644), a English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of Winchester from 1636 until his death. He was born in Derbyshire and is remembered for his theological writings and sermons.

In the 17th century, the Woodson family expanded to the American colonies, with Robert Woodson (1610-1677) being one of the earliest settlers to arrive in Virginia in 1638. He established a prominent family line in the colony, and his descendants played significant roles in the development of the region.

Other notable individuals with the Woodson surname include:

1. Benjamin Woodson (1789-1859), an American politician and military officer who served as the 16th Governor of Missouri. 2. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), an American historian, author, and scholar known as the "Father of Black History." 3. Dorothy Woodson (1891-1950), an American writer and educator who was a pioneer in the field of children's literature. 4. Robert Woodson (born 1937), an American civil rights activist and founder of the Woodson Center, a nonprofit organization focused on community revitalization.