Hood
What is the origin of the last name Hood?
Meaning and origin
The last name Hood originates from England and Scotland, derived from the Middle English word "hode" or "hood," meaning a hood or cap. It was likely an occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold hoods, or a topographic name for someone who lived by a hill or a piece of land shaped like a hood. The surname Hood has been traced back to early medieval times and has various spellings, including Hud, Hudd, Hodd, and Hod.
The longer story
The last name Hood holds a significant place in genealogy and name etymology. This analysis delves into the various aspects of this surname, shedding light on its origins, meaning, and historical significance.
The name Hood traces its roots back to medieval England, where it derived from the Middle English word "hode," meaning a hood or head covering. In its earliest usage, this surname likely referred to someone who made or sold hoods, or perhaps a person who habitually wore one.
It is worth noting that in medieval times, hoods were not only worn for protection against the elements but also formed a part of various social and professional garments.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#616
Hood was the 616th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 55,174 people, about 19 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Hood
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Hood is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.