Surname Woodall - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Deep Roots: A Look into the Woodall Heritage Through an iGENEA DNA Test

In a deep dive into my ancestry via an iGENEA DNA test, the rich and surprising history of my surname, Woodall, was revealed. From the large networks of long-lost relations to ancestral migrations, shared DNA histories and more came into light.

R. Woodall

Woodall: What does the surname Woodall mean?

The surname Woodall is of English origin and is believed to have derived from an Old English pre 7th century phrase 'wudu healh,' where 'wudu' means 'wood' and 'healh' denotes a nook, corner, recess or remote valley. So, the surname roughly translates to ‘one who lives in a remote or corner valley in the woods.’

This name was likely used as a topographic surname for someone who lived in such a location. Typically, early last names developed from a variety of sources including occupations, geographical objects or regions, nicknames, or even from the father's first name, in order to distinguish individuals.

Moreover, during the late Middle Ages when migration for the purpose of job-seeking became common, people often took their former village name as a surname, thus resulting in a wide dissemination of the name. Over centuries, the spellings of such names might have changed thus leading to various forms of the original surname; in this case, variations of Woodall could include Woodhall, Wodhall, Woodhull, and others.

Woodall: Where does the name Woodall come from?

The last name Woodall is most commonly found in the southern United States. Texas and Virginia are states with the highest concentrations in the country with the majority of people with the Woodall surname living in these states. However, the name is also found in various parts of the United States and around the globe. In the United Kingdom, for example, the East Midlands region is home to a large population of Woodalls. The name is also found in parts of Europe and Australia.

Though noble and ancient in origin, the Woodall family tree is a global one. As more and more families have moved away from their original homelands, it's becoming common to find people with the name Woodall residing in diverse areas around the world. The name has historically existed in the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as a collection of other European countries. The name is also common in Australia and the United States.

In the United States, the Woodall name is most strongly associated with the South, where descendants of the original European Woodalls have established themselves as political leaders, military heroes, and owners of large landholdings. It is believed that the name originated in the kingdom of Mercia, England in 900 A.D. By the 16th century, the Woodall name had spread to North America, with the first Woodalls migrating to the US in the early 1700s. Today, the Woodall family is rooted in a diverse history, with members living around the world.

Variations of the surname Woodall

The surname Woodall has several variations including Woodhall, Woodall, Woodhill, Woodhull, Woddell and Woddall. The spelling may vary depending on the time period and regional dialect of the person with the surname.

Woodall is an occupational surname, meaning someone who worked as a keeper of a wood. During the Middle Ages, people who held such positions were important to the village, as they were responsible for providing wood as fuel for fires and wood for construction or repairs. This surname is derived from the Old English word "wudu-hall", meaning an enclosure of trees or a wooded area.

In the United Kingdom, Woodalls are the most common variant and has been recorded there since the 15th century. Spellings like Woodhall, Woodhull, and Woodhill are also present in England, with the earliest record being the Woodhall family of Staffordshire in 1219.

In the United States, the variants Woodall, Woodhull and Woodhill are more common. Woddall and Woddell are found in the Southern US, whereas in the North, including the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York, Woodall is usually the spelling.

Woodall is also a common surname in other English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Variants include Woodhull and Woodhall. In Scotland, the spelling is usually Woodhall. Other variations of the surname can be found throughout the world, especially in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, and Turkey.

Famous people with the name Woodall

• Rob Woodall: American politician who serves as U.S. Representative from Georgia's 7th district
• Andrew Woodall: English writer and actor
• Septien Woodall: American singer, songwriter, and musician
• Troy Woodall: former professional American football safety
• Esmé Woodall: South African cricketer
• Cecil Woodall: British Royal Air Force air marshal
• Sharmini Mary Woodall: Trinidadian novelist, academic, and editor
• George Henry Woodall: English teacher and entomologist
• Morgan Woodall: American politician
• Brad Woodall: former major-league baseball pitcher
• Terry Woodall: Australian racing driver
• Chris Woodall: Canadian provincial politician
• Lee Woodall: former professional American football linebacker
• Jan Woodall: British polar explorer
• Jeff Woodall: former professional American football running back
• Jennifer Woodall: American former competition swimmer and bronze medalist
• John Woodall: English surgeon
• Johnnie Woodall: American record producer
• Lissa Woodall: Environmental and Public-Interest Alternative Dispute Resolution professor
• Anthony Woodall: English assembly line manager and non-league football player

Other surnames

Woodard