Wood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

When the ancestors of the Wood family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquestin 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Leicestershire. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English word wode, meaning wood, and indicates that the original bearer lived near a wood.

Early Origins of the Wood family

The surname Wood was first found in Leicester, where they held land in Thorpe Arnold, under the Earl of Leicester. They were descended from Ernald de Vosco, a Norman knight, who came to Britain with the Norman invasion of 1066. After losing these lands, the main branch of the family moved north to Dumfriesshire, Scotland where they held a family seat from about 1150.

Early History of the Wood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wood research.

Wood Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people’s names were subsequently modified. Wood has been recorded under many different variations, including Wood, Woods, Wode, Would, Woid, Voud, Vould and others.

Early Notables of the Wood family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Wode KS (died 1502) was a British judge, appointed Justice of the Peace for Berkshire in 1478, was made a Serjeant-at-law in 1486 and in 1488 a King’s Serjeant, in 1495 he was made a Puisne Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1500 he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; Sir John Wood of Bonnytoun; Sir Andrew Wood (c.1455-1539) Scottish.

Wood World Ranking

In the United States, the name Wood is the 78^th most popular surname with an estimated 243,726 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Wood is ranked the 69^thmost popular surname with an estimated 33,348 people with that name. [2] And in Australia, the name Wood is the 42^nd popular surname with an estimated 42,162 people with that name. [3] New Zealand ranks Wood as 80^th with 4,576 people. [4] The United Kingdom ranks Wood as 21^st with 116,685 people. [5] South Africa ranks Wood as 868^th with 8,073 people. [6]

 Migration of the Wood family to Ireland

Some of the Wood family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Wood migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Woods were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: 

Wood Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Thomas Wood, aged 35, who had settled in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship “George”
• Abraham Wood, aged 10, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship “Margaret & John” [7]
• Percevall Wood, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship “George” [8]
• Mrs. Ann Wood, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship “George” with husband Percevall [8]
• Mr. John Wood, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship “Bonaventure” coming via St. Domingo [8]

Wood Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Anne Wood, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 [7]
• Amy Wood, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 [7]
• Alexander Wood, who landed in Carolina in 1707 [7]
• Awbray Wood, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1726 [7]
• Elizabeth Wood, who arrived in Georgia in 1735 [7]

Wood Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• David Wood, who arrived in New York in 1801 [7]
• Isabella Wood, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 [7]
• Hartlay Wood, aged 49, who arrived in Rhode Island in 1812 [7]
• Francis Wood, aged 39, who landed in New York in 1812 [7]
• Ann Wood, aged 18, who landed in West Indies in 1812 [7]

Wood Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Franklin Austin Wood, who arrived in Mississippi in 1900 [7]

 Wood migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Wood Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

• Widow Wood and her children settled in Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland in 1676 [9]

Wood Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. Francis Wood U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 43 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [10]
• Mrs. Ann Wood U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 91 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [10]
• Mr. James Wood S.U.E. (b. 1781), aged 1 1/2 years who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 24 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [10]
• Miss. Ann Wood D.U.E. (b. 1782), aged 1 who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 25 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [10]
• Miss. Betty Wood D.U.E. (b. 1781), aged 2 who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 33 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [10]

Wood Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Henry Wood, who arrived in Newfoundland in 1802 [9]
• Robert Wood, aged 33, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship “Baltic Merchant” in 1815
• Helen Wood, aged 30, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship “Baltic Merchant” in 1815
• John Wood, aged 9, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship “Baltic Merchant” in 1815
• James Wood, aged 7, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship “Baltic Merchant” in 1815

 Wood migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Wood Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. Charles Wood, (b. 1765), aged 32, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years for robbery, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1837 [11]
• Mr. William Wood, English convict who was convicted in Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[11]
• Miss Ann Wood, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years , transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [12]
• Miss Mary Wood, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years , transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [12]

Wood Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Robert Barton Wood, (b. 1777), aged 23, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for fraud, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [13]
• Mr. Edward Wood, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Coromandel” on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
• Mr. John Wood, (Leach), (b. 1789), aged 24, English shop man who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for pick pocketing, transported aboard the “Earl Spencer” in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
• Mr. Ezekiel Wood, (b. 1792), aged 23, English convict who was convicted in Nothumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Fanny” on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1826 [16]
• Mr. Thomas Wood, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the “Baring” in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[17]

 Wood migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Wood Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Pelig Wood, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1830
• Mr. Wood, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship “Dublin Packet” arriving in Cloudy Bay, South Island, New Zealand in 1838 [18]
• George Wood, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
• John R Wood, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
• William Wood, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840

 Wood migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960’s many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [19]

Wood Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. Symon Wood, (b. 1621), aged 14, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship “Alexander” arriving in Barbados in 1635 [20]
• Mr. John Wood, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler traveling aboard the ship “Matthew” arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [21]
• Mr. John Wood, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler traveling aboard the ship “Matthew” arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [21]
• Mr. Thomas Wood, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling aboard the ship “Expedition” arriving in Barbados in 1636 [22]

Contemporary Notables of the name Wood (post 1700) +

• Raymond Stewart Wood Jr. (1934-2023), American bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America who served the Diocese of Michigan from 1990 to 2000
• Anita Marie Wood Brewer (1938-2023), also known as Little Bitty and Little, an American television performer, recording artist and girlfriend of Elvis Presley
• John F. Wood Jr. (1936-2023), American politician, Member of the Maryland House of Delegates (1995-2015)
• Bobby G. Wood (1935-2023), American politician, Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1976 to 2004
• George O. Wood (1941-2022), American Pentecostal minister who served in executive leadership of the U.S. Assemblies of God for 24 years, General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the United States of America (1993-2007)
• Corinne J. Wood (1954-2021), American politician, 44th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (1999-2003)
• Robin Wood (1953-2021), American artist specializing in game art and fantasy
• William Vernell Wood Sr. (1936-2020), American football player and coach, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989
• Forrest Lee Wood (1932-2020), American founder of Ranger Boats
• Lana Wood (b. 1946), stage name of Svetlana Gurdin, an American actress and producer and film producer, best known for her role as Plenty O’Toole in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971), younger sister of Natalie Wood

The Wood Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Tutus in undis
Motto Translation: Safe on the waves.