UK surname
An English occupational surname referring to someone who gathered or sold wood.
In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Woody surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #23,220 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Woody is 228 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.4%.
1881 census count
73
Ranked #23,220
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1861
228 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Woody surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Woody surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 69 | #21,148 |
| 1861 | historical | 228 | #10,703 |
| 1881 | historical | 73 | #23,220 |
| 1891 | historical | 127 | #20,496 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 113 | #21,168 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 35 | #34,418 |
| 2000 | modern | 37 | #34,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 21 | #35,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 17 | #36,517 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 24 | #36,341 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 32 | #35,820 |
| 2013 | modern | 33 | #35,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 33 | #35,843 |
| 2015 | modern | 34 | #35,756 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Sunderland and South Stoneham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romsey Extra, Michelmersh | Hampshire |
| 2 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 4 | Sunderland | Durham |
| 5 | South Stoneham | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Woody surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Woody, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Woody surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Woody household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Woody is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Woody is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Woody, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "WOODY" is of English origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a wood or forest. The name is derived from the Old English word "wudu," meaning "wood" or "forest."
During the medieval period, many surnames were derived from the physical features of the landscape or the location where a person lived. The name "WOODY" likely emerged as a descriptive surname for individuals residing in or near wooded areas.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1297, where a John del Wode (meaning "of the wood") is listed. This early spelling variation highlights the connection between the surname and the Old English word "wudu."
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "atte Wode" and "de la Wode," indicating the place of residence or origin of the person bearing the name. These variations eventually evolved into the modern spelling of "WOODY."
Historically, the surname "WOODY" has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded figures was Sir John Woodye (c. 1390-1451), a member of the English gentry and a supporter of the House of Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses.
Another prominent figure was William Wodeye (c. 1445-1517), an English merchant and alderman of the City of London, who served as Lord Mayor in 1492.
In the 16th century, the name was associated with John Wode (c. 1520-1584), a English playwright and author known for his work "The Conflict of Conscience."
Moving forward, James Woody (1784-1857) was a Scottish-born American educator and author who founded the Woody Prize, an annual award for excellence in teaching.
Additionally, Robert Woody (1868-1938) was an American attorney and politician who served as a United States Representative from Delaware in the early 20th century.
Throughout history, the surname "WOODY" has been linked to various places and locations, often deriving from nearby woods or forests. For example, the village of Woodyton in Shropshire, England, is believed to have been named after someone with the surname "WOODY" who lived there in the medieval period.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Woody surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Gloucestershire leads with 20 Woodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.52x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire | 20 | 14.52x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 1.14x |
| Cornwall | 6 | 7.55x |
| Durham | 6 | 2.87x |
| Kent | 6 | 2.50x |
| Wiltshire | 6 | 9.66x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.48x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.17x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 1.69x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.37x |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 4.13x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.84x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 11.95x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.84x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St George in Gloucestershire leads with 11 Woodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 172.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol St George | 11 | 172.68x |
| Pucklechurch | 9 | 2903.23x |
| Calstock | 6 | 384.62x |
| Deptford St Paul | 6 | 32.47x |
| Sunderland | 5 | 135.50x |
| Lea Cleverton | 4 | 3636.36x |
| Aston | 3 | 6.15x |
| Kingston On Thames | 3 | 36.50x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 2 | 30.21x |
| Ogbourne St George | 2 | 1666.67x |
| St Albans St Peter | 2 | 122.70x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 5.33x |
| Stoke Damerel | 2 | 19.55x |
| Tamworth | 2 | 157.48x |
| Bletchingley | 1 | 222.22x |
| Brighton | 1 | 4.19x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 6.03x |
| East Cowton | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 2.54x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 11.26x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.98x |
| North Meols | 1 | 12.25x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 7.55x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 13.99x |
| St Andrew Holborn | 1 | 42.02x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.77x |
| Westoe | 1 | 8.45x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Woody surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Woody surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Woody households.
FAQ
In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Woody surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Woody a modern rank of #35,162.
An English occupational surname referring to someone who gathered or sold wood.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Woody bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.