Surname Woodfield - Meaning and Origin
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Woodfield: What does the surname Woodfield mean?
Woodfield is an English surname thought to be derived from the Old English words “wudu” meaning “wood” and “feld” which means “field.” The name likely was given to someone who lived in or near a wooded field, or perhaps someone who worked in the woods. It is a toponymic surname, meaning that it originally referred to a geographic location.
The name is believed to have originally referred to the town of Woodfield near Buxton in Derbyshire, which was a Saxon settlement, though it can't be confirmed. It has spread across the English-speaking world, with the most common modern spelling being “Woodfield.”
The Woodfield surname is still common in England today, though variants such as Woodifield and Woodvield exist in other countries. It is a fairly rare name as it has only been in use since the Middle Ages, but those with the name have made strong contributions to their communities.
Whether it was given as a reference to a particular area, or a description of the family's life and work, the Woodfield surname carries with it a strong history and a connection to the past. It is a reminder of the generations of hard work and dedication that have been part of the Woodfield family over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodfield: Where does the name Woodfield come from?
The last name Woodfield is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. Woodfield is an English surname of a locational origin. This means the name is derived from a landmark or geographic feature within that area, in this instance, a wooded settlement or forest clearing. A wooded area in a medieval English locality would typically be identified as Woodfield, and thus became the basis of a surname. The surname Woodfield first appeared in documents in the 13th century, and can now be found in locations all across England. It is especially prevalent in northern and western parts of the country, particularly in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire. In more modern times, however, the name has spread around the world, with sizeable populations of Woodfields being found in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and elsewhere.
Variations of the surname Woodfield
The surname Woodfield is of England origin, and is an habitation name, indicating that it was derived from a place name. Variants, spellings and surnames for Woodfield include Woodfeld, Woodfielde, Woodfild, Woodfilde, Woodfildes, Woodfylde, and Wudfeld.
The place name likely originated from an area or settlement with a heavy wooded landscape, a common environment in at least two different locations in historic England. The first place with this name is located in Hertfordshire, near Middleton (and now called Cargo). The name of this village has been recorded in various forms since the 13th century, including Wodefeld, Wudefeld, Wudefielde, and Wodeefeld. The second location with this name is in Staffordshire, and was recorded as Wudefilde and Widfilde in the 11th and 14th centuries respectively.
Variations of Woodfield have been used as surnames in many parts of England since the 13th century. Many immigrants migrating to North America from England in the 17th and 18th centuries used this surname as well.
The Woodfield surname is still used today by families in England and in North America, some of whom have imported the original spelling, and some having adopted alternative spellings.
Famous people with the name Woodfield
- Stef Woodfield: UK-based YouTube vlogger and presenter, known for his seasonal vlog series in which he explores a variety of events in music, film, fashion and culture.
- Rowan Woodfield: British actor who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including EastEnders, Emmerdale, and Doctor Who.
- John Woodfield: British actor who portrays the villain Koslov in two of the James Bond films, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day.
- Travis Woodfield: Professional skateboarder and MTV filmmaker, who has been featured in potential action sports franchises such as Nitro Circus.
- Amber Woodfield: American professional wrestler and model, best known for her work on WWE’s NXT and SmackDown Live.
- Michael Woodfield: Australian singer and songwriter who has released four solo albums, including the platinum-selling The Unbelievable.
- Andrew Woodfield: British born New York-based artist known for his figurative and abstract paintings.
- Chris Woodfield: US-based hip hop and R&B producer affiliated with Def Jam Recordings.
- Dan Woodfield: Australian musician, singer and songwriter who has collaborated with artists such as The Vines, Billy Idol, and Beck.
- Nick Woodfield: British trumpeter known for his contributions to the bands Kosheen, The Bees, and The Libertines.