Summary

The surname Woodward likely originated from the Old English word 'wuduweard,' meaning 'guardian of the wood.' It is an occupational surname associated with someone who worked as a keeper or guardian of a forest. The Woodward family history can be traced back to medieval England, where individuals with this surname were responsible for protecting and managing woodlands.
There are
36764
Woodwards in the USA
Woodward is the
944th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Woodward

RobertWoodward

Robert Woodward is an American investigative journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting on the Watergate scandal in the 1970s.

JoanneWoodward

Joanne Woodward is an American actress and producer who won an Academy Award for her performance in the film 'Three Faces of Eve' (1957).

EdwardWoodward

Edward Woodward was a British actor known for his roles in films like 'Breaker Morant' (1980) and the TV series 'The Equalizer' (1985-1989).

BobWoodward

Bob Woodward is an American journalist and author who became famous for his reporting on the Watergate scandal and has written numerous best-selling books on American politics.

GeorgeWoodward

George Woodward was an English cricketer who played for Lancashire in the late 19th century and represented England in international matches.

RebeccaWoodward

Rebecca Woodward is a Canadian ice hockey player who won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics as part of the Canadian women's ice hockey team.

SarahWoodward

Sarah Woodward is a British actress known for her work in the theater, including performances in plays by Shakespeare and other acclaimed playwrights.

RodneyWoodward

Rodney Woodward is an Australian politician who served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1996 to 2010.

FrancesWoodward

Frances Woodward is an American artist known for her abstract paintings that explore the interaction of color and form.

HenryWoodward

Henry Woodward was a Canadian inventor who, along with his partner Mathew Evans, patented an early version of the incandescent light bulb in 1874.

Woodward Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Woodward' is of English origin and is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English words 'wode' (meaning 'wood') and 'ward' (meaning 'guardian' or 'keeper'). It originally referred to someone who was responsible for the supervision and maintenance of a forest or woodland.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Woodward' is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also present in smaller numbers in other parts of the world where English-speaking populations have settled.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Woodward' include 'Woodard', 'Woodwart', and 'Woodwards'.
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Woodward' have migrated and immigrated to various countries, especially during periods of British colonization and industrialization. Many individuals with this surname can be found in former British colonies such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.