Surname Woodburn - Meaning and Origin

Woodburn: What does the surname Woodburn mean?

The last name Woodburn is of English and Scottish origin and is derived from a geographical location. The name was formed from either a place named Woodbourne in the English midlands or from Woodborne in the Scottish lowlands. The names themselves refer to a stream (‘burn’) that ran through woodland ('wood') and as such is likely to have been used as a descriptive surname for people who lived near to this river or stream.

Woodburn is also common as a middle name in some families, and may be an indication of a family’s long-standing connection with that particular area. Alternatively, in some instances it is symbolic of a strong affinity with nature, woods and rivers.

In the modern times, the surname Woodburn is common in the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. It is also found in some other countries of the world. It is not among the top 100 of surnames in these countries, however it still conveys a unique sense of origin and character.

Woodburn: Where does the name Woodburn come from?

The last name Woodburn is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. The vast majority of those with this surname live in or originate from Scotland and Ireland. However, there are pockets of Woodburns scattered throughout other parts of these countries as well.

In England, Woodburn is most commonly found in larger cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Bristol, with smaller populations spread through the rural areas in between. In Scotland, these pockets are found in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, and through the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland.

This surname is also seen in the United States, dating back to the colonial era when many families immigrated from the British Isles. Woodburns are found in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina, down to Louisiana. It is also a fairly common name in Canada.

Although the origins of the Woodburn surname are unclear, it is likely that it is a surname derived from a place name and a possible nod to its English roots. With a long history of being found in the British Isles, Woodburns today can be found all across the world.

Variations of the surname Woodburn

The surname Woodburn is a habitational surname originating in Scotland from a place located between Edinburgh and Peebles bearing the same name. It is also known as Woodbourne and Woodburne. Variants of the surname include Woodburn, Woodburne, Woodbourne, Woodborn, Woodborne, Woodbourn, Woodboune, Woodburns, Woodbourns, Woodberne, and Woodburne.

The spelling of the surname, Woodburn, has changed over time. In the 1300s, it was known as Wodeburne, in the 1400s as Wodburne. In 1690, the spelling for the surname was changed to Woodburn, which comes from the Middle English word ‘wodeburne’.

The surname Woodburn is associated with several different locations in Scotland. One location is located near Edinburgh, and another on the western coastline near Stranraer. Other locations include Moray in Northeast Scotland and Aberdeenshire in Northeast Scotland.

The surname Woodburn can also be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It is believed that some of the earliest immigrants carrying the Woodburn surname arrived in the United States and Canada in the 1700s.

In addition, the Woodburn surname has become associated with a number of other spellings and surnames throughout the years. Some of these variations include Woodbourn, Woodbourne, Woodbyrn, Woodborne, Woodberne, Woodburns, and Woodbourns.

In conclusion, the surname Woodburn is associated with several different spelling variations and surnames. It originated in Scotland from a place located between Edinburgh and Peebles and has been found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Variants of the surname include Woodburn, Woodburne, Woodbourne, Woodborn, Woodborne, Woodbourn, Woodboune, Woodburns, Woodbourns, Woodberne, and Woodburne.

Famous people with the name Woodburn

• Oscar Woodburn: Academy Award-winning film and television actor best known for his roles in Father Brown (1954) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).
• Robert Woodburn: American film editor, who worked on many famous films including Some Like It Hot (1959), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), The Deer Hunter (1978), and The Last Emperor (1987).
• Jack Woodburn: former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Reds, Cubs, and Cardinals from 1940 to 1948.
• Lewis Woodburn: British natural history and environment artist, known for his watercolour paintings of birds.
• Vincent Woodburn: American jazz double bassist, noted for his work in the 1950s and 1960s. He played with Dizzy Gillespie, Nelson Riddle, and Red Rodney and Thelonious Monk.
• Sean Woodburn: Australian television actor, known for his role in the drama series, Home and Away.
• Dan Woodburn: American comedian, singer, and impressionist, best known for appearing on The Tonight Show and Bozo's Big Top.
• Geoffrey "Geoff" Woodburn: infamous Australian serial bank robber and convicted murderer.
• Jennifer Woodburn: contemporary American writer and playwright, whose work has been lauded by The New Yorker and The New York Times.
• John Woodburn: British colonial administrator, best known for serving as the Governor of British Burma from 1954 to 1959.

Other surnames

Woodbury