Show ContentsWood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Wood Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Wood

What does the name Wood mean?

When the ancestors of the Wood family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They 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 Wood family

The surname Wood 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 Wood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wood 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 Wood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wood Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Wood has been recorded under many different variations, including Wood, Woods, Wode, Would, Woid, Voud, Vould and others.

Early Notables of the Wood family

  • Sir John Wood of Bonnytoun
  • Sir Andrew Wood (c.1455-1539) Scottish naval commander
  • Sylvanus Wood (1604-1675), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654
  • Sir Henry Wood, 1st Baronet (1597-1671), an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1661 to 1671
  • Robert Wood or Woods (c.1622-1685), an English mathematician from Pepperharrow, Surrey
  • Abraham Wood (1610-1682), sometimes referred to as "General" or "Colonel" Wood, an English fur trader and explorer of 17th century colonial Virginia

Wood World Ranking

the United States, the name Wood is the 78th most popular surname with an estimated 243,726 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Wood is ranked the 69th most popular surname with an estimated 33,348 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Wood is the 42nd popular surname with an estimated 42,162 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Wood as 80th with 4,576 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Wood as 21st with 116,685 people. 5 South Africa ranks Wood as 868th with 8,073 people. 6

Migration of the Wood family to Ireland

Some of the Wood 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.

Wood migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Woods were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Wood Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Wood, aged 35, who had settled in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "George"
  • Abraham Wood, aged 10, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Margaret & John" 8
  • Percevall Wood, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" 9
  • Mrs. Ann Wood, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" with husband Percevall 9
  • Mr. John Wood, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wood Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anne Wood, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 8
  • Amy Wood, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 8
  • Alexander Wood, who landed in Carolina in 1707 8
  • Awbray Wood, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1726 8
  • Elizabeth Wood, who arrived in Georgia in 1735 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wood Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David Wood, who arrived in New York in 1801 8
  • Isabella Wood, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 8
  • Hartlay Wood, aged 49, who arrived in Rhode Island in 1812 8
  • Francis Wood, aged 39, who landed in New York in 1812 8
  • Ann Wood, aged 18, who landed in West Indies in 1812 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wood Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Franklin Austin Wood, who arrived in Mississippi in 1900 8

Wood migration to Canada +

Wood Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Widow Wood and her children settled in Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland in 1676 10
Wood Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Francis Wood U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 43 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Mrs. Ann Wood U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 91 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Mr. James Wood S.U.E. (b. 1781), aged 1 1/2 years who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 24 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Miss. Ann Wood D.U.E. (b. 1782), aged 1 who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 25 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Miss. Betty Wood D.U.E. (b. 1781), aged 2 who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 33 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wood Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Henry Wood, who arrived in Newfoundland in 1802 10
  • Robert Wood, aged 33, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Helen Wood, aged 30, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • John Wood, aged 9, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • James Wood, aged 7, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wood migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Miss Margaret Wood, (b. 1771), aged 15, British settler convicted in London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 7
  • Mr. George Wood, (b. 1765), aged 24, British settler convicted at Devon, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
  • Mr. William Wood, British settler convicted at Lincolnshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
  • Mr. William Wood, British settler convicted at Warwickshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
  • Mr. John Wood, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
Second Fleet
  • Mr. John Wood, British settler convicted in Derbyshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. Charles Wood, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. Charles Wood, British settler convicted in Devon, England in 1789, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. Henry Wood, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. George Wood, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
Third Fleet
  • Miss Lucy Wood, (Brand) (b. 1753), aged 34, English settler convicted in London on 19th July 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 8
  • Mr. George Wood, (b. 1763), aged 24, English settler convicted in London on 20th October 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 8
  • Mr. Mark Wood, (b. 1765), aged 22, English shoemaker convicted in London on 29th October 1783, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 8
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Wood Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Wood Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Barton Wood, (b. 1777), aged 23, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for fraud, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Edward Wood, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr.John Wood, British settler who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. John Wood, (Leach), (b. 1789), aged 24, English shop man who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. Ezekiel Wood, (b. 1792), aged 23, English convict who was convicted in Nothumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1826 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wood 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:

Wood Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Pelig Wood, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1830
  • Mr. Wood, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Dublin Packet" arriving in Cloudy Bay, South Island, New Zealand in 1838 19
  • William Wood, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • George Wood, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • John R Wood, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wood migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20
Wood Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Wood, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 21
  • Mr. John Wood, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 21
  • Mr. Symon Wood, (b. 1621), aged 14, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 22
  • Mr. Thomas Wood, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 23

Contemporary Notables of the name Wood (post 1700) +

  • Michael Carleton "Mike" Wood (1952-2025), American lawyer and business executive, founder of the educational entertainment and electronics company LeapFrog Enterprises
  • Virgil Alexander Wood (1931-2024), American civil rights activist and Baptist minister
  • Raymond Stewart Wood Jr. (1934-2023), American bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America who served the Diocese of Michigan from 1990 to 2000
  • Anita Marie Wood Brewer (1938-2023), also known as Little Bitty and Little, an American television performer, recording artist and girlfriend of Elvis Presley
  • John F. Wood Jr. (1936-2023), American politician, Member of the Maryland House of Delegates (1995-2015)
  • Bobby G. Wood (1935-2023), American politician, Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1976 to 2004
  • George O. Wood (1941-2022), American Pentecostal minister who served in executive leadership of the U.S. Assemblies of God for 24 years, General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the United States of America (1993-2007)
  • Corinne J. Wood (1954-2021), American politician, 44th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (1999-2003)
  • Robin Wood (1953-2021), American artist specializing in game art and fantasy
  • ... (Another 60 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. Irvine Kirkham Wood (1907-1979), New Zealander passenger, from, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 24
  • Mrs. Barbara Annie Wood (1913-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Kiwitea, Wanganui-Manawatu, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 25
  • Mr. Lawrence A Wood (1951-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Everett, Washington, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 25
  • Allan Wood (1920-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Leonard Sydney Wood (1919-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • ... (Another 45 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Wood 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 Wood +

  • The Davis-Wood Family of Gadsden County, Florida and Their Forebears by Fenton Garnett Davis Avant.
  • Descendants of John Wood, A Mariner, Who died in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1655 by Dorothy Wood Ewers.
  • The Michael Woods-Mary Campbell Family in America by Patsy Young Woods.
  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. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  7. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  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. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  10. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  11. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  22. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  25. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550

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