Surname Darwood - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Darwood: What does the surname Darwood mean?
The last name Darwood is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English term "dearu" which means "dear". It is usually a locational name, likely named after a place where people who had this last name lived.
The Darwood family is believed to originate from Durham, England, the historical village of Darwood within the county. The first instance of the Darwood family name appears in the 13th century, and spelling variations of the name include Darwood, Doerwood, Durwood, Derwood and Dearwood.
Throughout history, the Darwood family has played significant roles in local government, politics, and military service, as well as contributing to the sciences, literature and the arts. Descendants of the Darwood family have been found in many parts of England.
The name Darwood is said to symbolize strength, loyalty and determination. It is often associated with a strong sense of self-reliance and independence. This last name has also been known to denote moral courage, strong will and altruism.
Overall, the last name Darwood is a unique family name that signifies strength, loyalty, courage and self-reliance. It is rich in heritage and history, and its descendants have continued to make great contributions to society.
Order DNA origin analysisDarwood: Where does the name Darwood come from?
Darwood is an uncommon surname today. It is most frequently found in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Canada. In Ireland, the vast majority of the people with the last name Darwood can be found in County Limerick, County Cork, and County Mayo. In England, the last name is found in most regions in the northwest, including Yorkshire and Lancashire, but is more commonly seen in London and the surrounding areas. In Scotland, it is mainly found in small pockets in Aberdeenshire and the Borders area. Canadians with the last name Darwood are most likely to be found in Ontario and British Columbia.
The history of the first Darwoods is largely unknown. It is thought to be a variant of the name Darwood which is derived from the Old English words for oak trees. This suggests the first bearer of the name would have lived near an oak tree. Other theories point to a French origin from the word de Verlai, which can be translated as son of Verlai.
The source of the name is unknown but it was an old surname which may have been discontinued because there were no persons to keep it active throughout the years. With the advent of genealogical research, more people have been able to trace their family history and uncover a heritage with the last name Darwood.
Variations of the surname Darwood
The surname Darwood is a patronymic surname that originates from England. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon given name "Deorweald" which literally translates to "dear forest." Variants of this surname include: Darwode, Darwoode, Deerwood, Dearwood, Darwooode, Darwoude, Darwoodd, Derwood, Derwode, Durwood, Durwode, Derewood and Deorwood.
The Darwode spelling is the most commonly found in England. This variant is thought to originate from the Midlands region of England and Wales. It is also found in records in County Clare, Ireland.
The Darwoode spelling is the second most commonly found variant. This variant originated in Raaphorst, in the Netherlands, and is found in records dating back to the 17th century.
The Dearwood spelling is the third most commonly found variant of the Darwood surname. This variant is found in records in Provence, France, and is derived from the French surnames "De Rias" or "De Reis."
The Derwood variant of the surname is thought to have developed through a dialectal variation, and is found in some Old English records. The Durwood and Derwode variant spellings are thought to have emerged during the Norman Conquest of England, and are found in records in Essex, England dating back to the early 11th century.
The Derewood spelling is thought to be a derivative of Derewode, which is found in records in Gloucestershire, England. The Deorwood variant is found in some records from County Cork, Ireland, and is derived from the Old Irish given name "Deor."
In conclusion, the surname Darwood has numerous variant spellings and is believed to have derived from many sources, including English, French, Old Irish, and Old English.
Famous people with the name Darwood
- Bob Darwood: singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work in the band The Monkees.
- Tom Darwood: professional golfer who competed in the British Open in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Edith Darwood: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who wrote a book on animal nutrition.
- Alan Darwood: award-winning British composer and musicologist.
- John Darwood: recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
- Ross Darwood: professional footballer who played for the English football league team, Oxford United.
- Barbara Darwood: actress, best known for her role as Maggie Tranter in the British television series "The Borrowers".
- Will Darwood: British comic book artist and writer.
- Raeford Darwood: former U.S. Representative from Tennessee.
- Catherine Darwood: former member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.