First found in the county of Salop where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and had retained their estates despite the Norman invasion of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066 A.D.

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Attwood, or a variant listed above: Thomas Attwood who settled in Virginia in 1663; Joane Attwood settled in Barbados in 1664; Richard Attwood settled in Barbados (with his wife and servant) in 1680. In Newfoundland, Esau, was the owner of a fishing room at Pond Island, Greenspond Harbour, in 1778.

For more information on the last name Attwood, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.