Surname Woodruffe - Meaning and Origin

Woodruffe: What does the surname Woodruffe mean?

The last name Woodruffe is of English origin and is derived from an Old English term meaning "enclosed clearing in a forest". The term is composed from the words wudu, meaning wood or forest, and riefe meaning a clearing. This type of name was originally given to a person who lived or worked near such a clearing.

Woodruffe is an occupational surname. This means that it was usually given to people who did particular types of work, including tree fellers and woodcutters - both of which would explain why this type of name was first used.

Woodruffe is also a surname that describes a particular geographical area where such a clearing was present. It may describe the same landscape where the bearer of the name lived or it could have been used to distinguish the people living in that particular area.

The name Woodruffe could also refer to the character of a person. It could be used to depict an individual as being brave, strong and hardworking - characteristics that were likely necessary to survive in a woody, rural area.

Today the name Woodruffe is still used as both an occupational and geographical surname, but it is also used as a middle name to honor a family member or someone who has an affinity for an area with a rich history.

Woodruffe: Where does the name Woodruffe come from?

The last name Woodruffe is mainly found in England and Wales today. It is believed to have originated in Lancashire, in the northwest of England, and possibly from Scandinavian settlers. The earliest spelling of Woodruffe in 1166 was Wotheroph.

Woodruffe can be found mostly in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Warwickshire, Northumberland, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Wales and London. An analysis of the 1881 UK census shows that Woodruffe is most common in Lancashire, with 160 households registered there. The county of Yorkshire also had a significant number of Woodruffes, with 108 recorded households. Woodruffe is also found in Scotland and Ireland, but much less frequently than in England and Wales.

Woodruffe is also found in other countries around the world, particularly Commonwealth countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, the number of Woodruffes is most highly concentrated in Florida.

Overall, Woodruffe is an uncommon last name, and there is no definitive indication of where it originated from. However, today, it is most commonly found in England and Wales, although it is also found in other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Woodruffe

The surname Woodruffe is of English origin and dates back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English words ‘wood’ and ‘rufe’, meaning a clearing in the woods. The variants of this surname include Woodrouff, Woodroff, Woodroffe, Woodruff and Woodruffe.

The use of ‘Woodruffe’ as a surname first appeared in the records of England in the mid-12th century. Some of the earliest examples come from Sussex, including Thomas de Wudruf (1166) and Gilbert de Wudruff (1198). Other early examples of the Woodruffe surname in other parts of England include William de Wudruffe (Essex, 1221) and Robert Woodrof (Yorkshire, 1257).

Over time, alternative spellings of the Woodruffe surname have developed as a result of changes in pronunciation, as well as regional dialects. The variations in spelling of the surname Woodruffe include Woodroff, Woodrouf, Woodroffe, Woodruf, Woodruff, Woodruffe, and Woodrof.

Surnames derived from the same origin as Woodruffe include Woodworth, Wooldridge, Woolcott, Wolcott, Wolrich and Wolf. These surnames are often found in areas where the Woodruffe surname was present, such as in Sussex.

Over time, the Woodruffe surname has spread to other countries around the world. It is common in the United States, Australia and Canada, as well as in many parts of Europe, including Ireland and Germany.

Famous people with the name Woodruffe

• Alexander Woodruffe: English entrepreneur and philanthropist.
• Richard Woodruffe: British Air Force lieutenant and politician.
• Robert Woodruffe: Australian architect and civil engineer.
• William Woodruffe: English footballer and manager.
• Christopher Woodruffe: English businessman and philanthropist.
• Kathryn Woodruffe: British businesswoman and politician.
• James Woodruffe: Former British MP and former Chair of the Board of Trade.
• John Woodruffe: Canadian lawyer and former Supreme Court justice.
• Kaye Woodruffe: Former British Parliamentarian and Prime Minister.
• Gordon Woodruffe: Canadian artist and songwriter.
• Joanna Woodruffe: British artist and curator.
• Don Woodruffe: Canadian anchor and news broadcaster.
• David Woodruffe: Australian television and radio journalist.

Other surnames

Woodruff