Woods Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Woods Name Meaning: A varient of the name 'Wood' which originates from the Anglo-Saxon word 'wode' meaning 'wood' or 'forest'. May also derive from the Middle English 'wod' meaning 'mad'.

A name given to someone who was associated by occupation to a wood or forest or someone who lived in or near one.

Discover how your Woods ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Woods Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Woods family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 3,483
Agricultural Labourer 472
Cotton Weaver 239
General Labourer 236
Labourer 211
Domestic Servant 184
Farm Labourer 148
Dress Maker 143
General Servant 130
Laundress 108
Annuitant 85
Coal Miner 82
House Keeper 81
Carpenter 64
Charwoman 64
General Servant Domestic 60
Servant 52
No Occupation 48
Painter 46
Tailor 44
Cotton Spinner 44
Gardener 43
Carter 43
Bricklayer 41
Shoe Maker 40

Woods Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Woods 100% 134,160
2 Weeds 60% 1,272
3 Awdas 20% 621
4 Wadds 60% 453
5 Wads 60% 273
6 Wades 40% 253

Did you know?

The surname Woods is the most popular version of all its varients

Search for the Woods family