Underwood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


Underwood is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in a forest, below a forest on a hillside, or in either of the settlements called Underwood in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire. The surname Underwood belongs to both the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads, and the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees.

Early Origins of the Underwood family

The surname Underwood was first found in Derbyshire at Underwood, a liberty, in the parish of Ashbourn, hundred of Wirksworth. Underwood is also a hamlet, in the parish of Selston, union of Basford in Nottinghamshire, but it is the former from where the family originated. 1 Literally the place names mean "place within or near a wood," from the Old English "under" + "wudu." 2

However, we must look to Suffolk for the first records of the surname for it is there in 1188 William de Underwode was found. A few years later in Yorkshire, William Underwude de Clokton was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1219. William Under the Wode was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1332. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two listings: John Underwode in Oxfordshire; and Hugh Underwod in Cambridgeshire. Robertus Vndrewode was listed in a Latin form of then name in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 4

Early History of the Underwood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Underwood research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1632, 1789, 1791, 1794, 1847, 1853, 1858, 1873 and 1876 are included under the topic Early Underwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Underwood Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Underwood has been recorded under many different variations, including Underwood, Underwoode and others.

Early Notables of the Underwood family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Underwood Ranking

In the United States, the name Underwood is the 488th most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 5 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Underwood is ranked the 611st most popular surname with an estimated 10,728 people with that name. 6


Underwood migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Underwood or a variant listed above:

Underwood Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Underwood Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Underwood Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Underwood migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Underwood Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Underwood migration to Australia +

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

Underwood Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Underwood 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:

Underwood Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Underwood (post 1700) +


The Underwood 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: Omnes arbusta juvant
Motto Translation: Groves (Underwood) delight all men.


Suggested Readings for the name Underwood +
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