Woodward Family History & Genealogy
Woodward Last Name History & Origin
AddHistory
The name of Woodward originated about the fifth century A.D. The King of England granted to his servant, James, the Woodwarden, special recognition as a reward for his faithfulness and care to the trust reposed in him, hence the special significance of the words on the Coat of Arms, Guard Well. (Our Royal Ancestors, vol. 1 & 2, p. 44)
The family name Woodward is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race. They were commonly believed to be of French origin but were, more accurately, of Viking origin.
Name Origin
This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and comes from a medieval occupational name for a forester (which has formed another well known surname), a man employed to look after the trees and the game in the forest. This was a very important and well respected profession, since the woods and the game animals therein were usually preserved against poachers and were solely for the use and enjoyment of the king or the local lord of the manor. The "New Forest" in Hampshire is a prime example of such a protected area and the punishment for infringement was usually death. The derivation of the name is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "wudu", wood, and "weard" guardian or protector.
Spellings & Pronunciations
Many alternate spellings of the name were found. They were typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. The name, Woodward, occurred in many references, and from time to time, the surname included the spellings of Woodward, Woodyard, Woodwood, Wadard, Waudard, and many more. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded.It was not uncommon for a person to be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone that showed another. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either came from a division of the family, or, had religious or patriotic reasons.
Nationality & Ethnicity
English
Famous People named Woodward
Bob Woodward (Watergate Journalist), Joanne Woodward (Actress)
Early Woodwards
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Woodward Family Members
Woodward Family Photos
Discover Woodward family photos shared by the community. These photos contain people and places related to the Woodward last name.

He is buried in the Harrell Cemetery at Pine Grove, Louisiana alongside his wife, Nancy “Nannie” Nesom-Woodward.


People in photo include: Brainard Hardy Woodward Jr., Brainard Hardy Woodward, Fannie Woodward, David Goodwin, Jane Tondettar, Ladord Goodwin, Carl Goodwin, and Carol Goodwin


People in photo include: Michael Curtis Salvail, Donna Lynn (Salvail) Gayer, Deborah Anne (Salvail) Cummins, Paul Harmon Salvail, Mary Loretta Salvail, Andre Woodward Salvail, Shannon Marie (Gayer) Schweigert, Jeffrey Michael Salvail, and Jennifer Michael (Salvail) Martin


People in photo include: Ruby, Ruby Merle Woodward, Ella Marie Woodward, Betty Jo (Woodward) Gay, Ashley Woodward, Edna Maxine , Teny (Woodward) Todd, James Woodward, William Woodward, and William Woodward
Woodward Family Tree
Discover the most common names, oldest records and life expectancy of people with the last name Woodward.
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Woodward Death Records & Life Expectancy
The average age of a Woodward family member is 74.0 years old according to our database of 15,562 people with the last name Woodward that have a birth and death date listed.
Life Expectancy
Oldest Woodwards
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