Surname Henwood - Meaning and Origin
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Henwood: What does the surname Henwood mean?
The last name Henwood is of English origin. It is a habitational name derived from a village named Henwood in the county of Kent. The etymology of the name comes from the Old English "Hean", meaning a high place, and "wudu," meaning wood or forest. This combination of words was first used to describe a settlement which was located upon a high piece of land surrounded by a wood or forest.
The Henwood name can be traced back to the 11th century in the county of Kent. During the Middle Ages, the Henwood family held a large estate and were part of the London Mercer’s. They flourished in the city until the Great Fire of London occurred in 1666, which destroyed the family’s estate and forced them to relocate.
The Henwood family were known for their loyalty to England, and many of their members have served in the English military during both World Wars. As well, they were involved in a number of trades, such as carpentry, blacksmithing, and bricklaying.
In modern times, the Henwood name continues to thrive in the United Kingdom and other countries with English heritage. Today, those who bear this surname can be found throughout the world, and the Henwood family remains united regardless of physical boundaries. Its members share the same history, traditions, and values that were initially established centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisHenwood: Where does the name Henwood come from?
The last name Henwood is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. In England, the name is largely concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. Elsewhere in the world, the name Henwood is still relatively rare, but those with the surname can be found in Canada, the United States, France, Australia, South Africa, and several other countries.
In England, the Henwood name is believed to have originated in Gloucestershire, where records of the surname date back to as early as 1574. An English monastery once held the Henwood House estate, and it was transferred to members of the Henwood family several hundred years ago.
In the United States, the Henwood surname is native to New York City, where records of the name date back to the 1800s. The name can also be found in areas where immigrants originally settled generations ago, such as Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The Henwood name is also somewhat prominent in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Canada. Records of the name in Australia date back to the 1820s, and it is believed to have originated in England. The name is most popular in Western Australia. In South Africa, Henwood is mainly a British surname from the Cape Province area, and it is also present in other parts of the continent, including Kenya and Uganda.
Overall, the surname Henwood is still largely concentrated in England, though it has spread throughout the rest of the world in recent centuries.
Variations of the surname Henwood
The surname Henwood may have many variants and spellings, as it is a common surname with Anglo-Saxon origins. Variations may include Henwood, Hennwood, Hendewood, Heneuood, Hendwood, Hendrawood, Hennawood, Handwood, Henwodde, Henwold, Hennot, Hennott, Henoot, Henewood, Hennard, and Hendrey.
In many cases, different spellings of the same surname may have resulted from a mistake made by a scribe or clerk when writing entries in old books and documents. In some areas, changes were made to the surname due to local accents when it was spoken.
Many variant spellings may also be related to the surnames Hendrick, Hendriks, Hendricksen, Hendrix, Hendryckx, and Hendry, as these names are derived from a Saxon term which meant "the home or estate of Henry".
The surname Henwood is also frequently found in the UK, Ireland and the US, and can be found as Henwood, Hennwood, Henuood, Henwod, Henwoode, Hennot, and Henoot. A good number of people, particularly in the US, also have adopted variations of the name Henwood including Henwold, Hendrawood, and Hendrey.
In conclusion, the surname Henwood has a wide range of variants and spellings, all related to and derived from the same origins. The variants may have evolved over time due to a variety of factors, including mistakes made by scribes, changing local accents, and in some cases, association with other surnames such as Hendrick.
Famous people with the name Henwood
- Chris Henwood, an Australian musician and photographer.
- Kit Henwood, a former host of the BBC Radio 4 program Money Box.
- Sue Henwood, an English artist and sculptor.
- Lisa Henwood, a former British model.
- Sophia Henwood, an American actress.
- Richard Henwood, an Australian rugby player.
- Stuart Henwood, a former British naval officer.
- Jon Henwood-Keen, an English actor and TV presenter.
- Iain Henwood, a Welsh singer-songwriter.
- Andrew Henwood, a New Zealand artist and craftsman.