Show ContentsWoodward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

  • Origins Available:
  • England
Woodward Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Woodward

What does the name Woodward mean?

Woodward is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a forester. Looking back even further, we found the name was originally derived from the Old English words wode, meaning wood, and ward, meaning guardian or keeper. 1

Another source claims the name was from 'a woodward,' a forest officer who looked after wood and vert. 2

Early Origins of the Woodward family

The surname Woodward was first found in Essex, England where Commander Wadard 3 was granted lands by King William for his assistance at the Battle of Hastings. The first recorded scion of the family, (Falaise Roll,p 112,) Commander Wadard assembled King William's army at Saint Valery in Normandy for the invasion of England. It was he, Wadard, who advised King William of the Saxon King Harold's approach from the north at Hastings. He is depicted on the famous Bayeux Tapestry on a foraging expedition. His portrait suggests that he held a senior rank. His descendents, Henry and Simon Wadard, were still Lords of their respective Manors in Essex in 1278.

Other early listings of the name include: Sewhal le wuderward who was in the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire in 1208; Ralph de (sic) Wodeward who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Hertfordshire in 1230; and Robert Wodeward who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Aylward le Wodeward in Oxfordshire; and Adam le Wodewarde in Somerset. 2

Early History of the Woodward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Woodward research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1086, 1290, 1490, 1590, 1640, 1657, 1675, 1698, 1712 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Woodward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Woodward 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. Woodward has been recorded under many different variations, including Woodward, Woodard, Woodwards, Woodyard, Wadard and many more.

Early Notables of the Woodward family

  • Hezekiah Woodward (1590-1675), an English nonconformist minister and educator, also involved in the pamphlet wars of the 1640s
  • Josiah Woodward (1657-1712), a Church of England clergyman and moral reformer
  • George Woodward (c.1698-1735), a British diplomat to Poland

Woodward World Ranking

the United States, the name Woodward is the 733rd most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Woodward is ranked the 503rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,566 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Woodward is the 491st popular surname with an estimated 1,393 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Woodward as 272nd with 22,159 people. 7

Woodward 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. Woodwards were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Woodward Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Henry Woodward, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Diana" 9
  • Christopher Woodward, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Tryall/Triall" 10
  • Henery Woodward, who landed in Virginia in 1624-1625 10
  • Mary Woodward, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1624 10
  • Nathaniel Woodward, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1630 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Woodward Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Woodward, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 10
  • Joseph Woodward, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 10
  • Samuel Woodward, who landed in America in 1760-1763 10
Woodward Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Woodward, who landed in New York in 1822 10
  • George Woodward, who arrived in New York in 1835 10
  • Mr. James Woodward, infant, British settler who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842
  • Mr. Joseph Woodward, aged 25, British shoe maker who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842
  • Mrs. Margaret Woodward, aged 24, British settler who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Woodward migration to Canada +

Woodward Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Abraham Woodward U.E. born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Pennfield, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 listed as signing the Quaker Agreement 11
  • Mr. Anthony Woodward U.E. born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Pennfield, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 listed as signing the Quaker Agreement 11
  • Mr. Anthony Woodward Jr., U.E. born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Pennfield, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 listed as signing the Quaker Agreement 11
  • Ms. Constant Woodward U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 11
  • Ms. Deborah Woodward U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Woodward Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Woodward, aged 35, a merchant, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the barque "Frederick" from Liverpool, England
  • Dewitt Clinton Woodward, who landed in Canada in 1840
  • Jessee Smith Woodward, who arrived in Canada in 1840
  • Joseph Woodward, an English youngster, first settler at Boat Harbour, Newfoundland in 1860 12

Woodward migration to Australia +

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

Second Fleet
  • Mr. George Woodward, (d. 1825), British settler convicted in London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing fabric, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Miss Jane Woodward, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Nottinghamshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Woodward Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Woodward Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Woodward, British settler  who was convicted in Gloucestershire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the  "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Robert Woodward, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. John Woodward, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for life, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. John Woodward, English convict who was convicted in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emperor Alexander"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
  • Mr. James Woodward, (1811 - 1835), aged 24, British settler who was tried in Oxford, England in April 1834 for life for theft, transported aboard the "George III" on 12th December 1834, going to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) she sunk on the 12th Marh 1835 he drowned
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Woodward 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:

Woodward Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J Woodward, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Bolton
  • Mr Woodward, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 18
  • Samuel Woodward, aged 27, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 18
  • Rose Woodward, aged 17, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 18
  • Margaret Woodward, aged 27, a dressmaker, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Woodward (post 1700) +

  • Justin Phillip Woodward (1982-2025), American chef, worked at Castagna and OK Omens in Portland, Oregon
  • Thomas Morgan Woodward (1925-2019), American actor, best known for his recurring role on the soap opera Dallas as Marvin "Punk" Anderson
  • Commander (USN) Neil W. Woodward III (b. 1962), American former NASA astronaut 19
  • Robert Burns Woodward (1917-1979), American Nobel Prize-winning organic chemist
  • Comer Vann Woodward (1908-1999), American historian
  • Bob Woodward (b. 1943), American journalist and author, assistant managing editor of The Washington Post
  • Timothy Oliver Woodward (1953-2023), English actor
  • Sir Arthur Smith Woodward (1864-1944), English palaeontologist
  • Edward Albert Arthur Woodward (1930-2009), English stage, film and television actor and singer
  • ... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Dorsetshire
  • John Woodward (d. 1945), British Steward aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 20
  • Mr. Frederick J Woodward (b. 1896), English Warrant Electrician serving for the Royal Navy from Sutton, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
  • Mr. K A Woodward, British Petty Officer Airman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. Albert Woodward (1899-1917), British Boy 1st Class from Bedfordshire, who was aboard the ship "HMS Vanguard" when she exploded in the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, Scotland on 9th July 1917
  • Mr. John Wesley Woodward (d. 1912), aged 32, English Second Class passenger from Oxford, Oxfordshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 23
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Woodward 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: Virtus semper viret
Motto Translation: Virtue is always flourishing.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  9. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  10. 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)
  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. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emperor-alexander
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. NASA Astronauts Homepage. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Neil Woodward. Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/woodward.html
  20. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  21. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  22. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  23. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html

Houseofnames.com on Facebook