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Show ContentsWoods History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Woods is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Woods family lived in Leicestershire. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English word wode, meaning wood, and indicates that the original bearer lived near a wood.

Early Origins of the Woods family

The surname Woods was first found in Leicester, where they held land in Thorpe Arnold, under the Earl of Leicester. They were descended from Ernald de Vosco, a Norman knight, who came to Britain with the Norman invasion of 1066. After losing these lands, the main branch of the family moved north to Dumfriesshire, Scotland where they held a family seat from about 1150.

Early History of the Woods family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Woods research. Another 197 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1455, 1478, 1486, 1488, 1495, 1500, 1502, 1539, 1597, 1604, 1610, 1622, 1654, 1661, 1666, 1671, 1672, 1675, 1682 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Woods History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Woods Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Woods are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Woods include Wood, Woods, Wode, Would, Woid, Voud, Vould and others.

Early Notables of the Woods family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Robert Wood or Woods (c.1622-1685), an English mathematician from Pepperharrow, Surrey

Woods World Ranking

In the United States, the name Woods is the 107th most popular surname with an estimated 198,960 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Woods is ranked the 331st most popular surname with an estimated 13,644 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Woods is the 708th popular surname with an estimated 61 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Woods as 120th with 22,287 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Woods as 179th with 3,047 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Woods as 154th with 34,119 people. 6

Ireland Migration of the Woods family to Ireland

Some of the Woods family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Woods migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Woods, or a variant listed above:

Woods Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. William Woods who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Boston 7
Woods Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Ann Woods, who landed in Virginia in 1769-1770 8
Woods Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David Woods, aged 25, who arrived in Alexandria, Va in 1801 8
  • Alexander Woods, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1811 8
  • James Woods, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1811 8
  • Francis Woods, aged 41, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
  • Anthony Woods, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Woods Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Evans Woods, who landed in Mississippi in 1904 8

Canada Woods migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Woods Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Bernard Woods, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Charles Woods, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Mary Woods, aged 32, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Ambassador" in 1834
  • Margaret Woods, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • Sally Woods, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Susan" in 1838
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Woods migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Woods Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Woods, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Mr. William Woods who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 24th March 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Mr. Peter Woods, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. James Woods, English convict who was convicted in Colchester, Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • John Woods, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Woods migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Woods Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Woods, who landed in Go-ashore, New Zealand in 1840
  • Frederick Woods, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
  • F Woods, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Arab
  • Mr. John Woods, British settler as part of the 8th Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Oriental Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th September 1849 14
  • Mr. Daniell Woods, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in New Zealand in 1852 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Woods (post 1700) +

  • John Edwin Woods (1942-2023), American translator who specialized in translating German literature, since about 1978
  • Alexander Woods (2000-2022), better known by his stage name Big Scarr, an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee; he died from a drug overdose
  • George Woods (1943-2022), American two-time silver medalist shot putter, inducted to the USATF National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2007
  • Jane Haycock Woods (1946-2022), American educator and Republican politician, Member of the Virginia Senate from 1992 to 2000, and Virginia House of Delegates from 1988 to 1992
  • Stuart Woods (1938-2022), American novelist, best known for his first novel Chiefs and his series of novels featuring the Stone Barrington character
  • Grant Woods (1954-2021), American attorney and politician who served as 22nd Attorney General of Arizona from 1991 until 1999
  • Geraldine Pittman "Jerri" Woods (1921-1999), American science administrator; she establishing programs that promote minorities in STEM fields, scientific research, and basic research
  • Philip Wells Woods (1931-2015), American jazz bebop alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader and composer, perhaps best known for his rendition of "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel
  • Sylvia Woods (1926-2012), American restaurateur who co-founded the landmark restaurant Sylvia's in Harlem on Lenox Avenue, New York City
  • Don Woods (1927-2012), American meteorologist and cartoonist
  • ... (Another 18 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Sarah Woods (d. 1914), née Simmonds Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 15
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. Andrew Woods (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 16
  • Mr. Charles H. Woods (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 16
  • Mr. Joel Woods (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 16
  • Mr. John Woods (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 16
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. William Raymond Woods (1920-1941), Australian Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class from North Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 17
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Thomas Woods (d. 1945), British Marine aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 18
HMS Royal Oak
  • Joseph Woods, British Signalman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 19
  • J.W. Woods, British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 19
  • J. Woods, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 19
  • Harold J.C. Woods, British Paymaster Lieutenant with the Royal Navy Reserve aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 19
Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)
  • Chelsea Marie Woods (1988-1988), American Passenger from Willingboro, New Jersey, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 20
  • Joe Nathan Woods (1960-1988), American Civilian Military Worker from Willingboro, New Jersey, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 20
  • Joe Nathan Woods Jr. (1986-1988), American Passenger from Willingboro, New Jersey, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 20
  • Dedera Lynn Woods (1961-1988), American Air Force Sergeant from Willingboro, New Jersey, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 20
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Joseph Woods, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 21
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. William Woods, Newfoundlander from St. John's, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
USS Arizona
  • Mr. William Anthony Woods, American Seaman Second Class from New York, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 22
  • Mr. Vernon Wesley Woods, American Seaman First Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 22

The Woods Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Tutus in undis
Motto Translation: Safe on the waves.

Suggested Readings for the name Woods +

  • Let the Deed Shaw: A Pictorial and Historical Record of the Fleming, Edwards and Woods Families by James R. Fleming.
  • The Michael Woods-Mary Campbell Family in America by Patsy Woods Young.
  • The Woods Family: Colonial Days to 1979 by Willa Woods Hiltner.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
  13. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  16. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
  17. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  18. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  19. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  20. Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html
  21. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  22. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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