Sherwood
What is the origin of the last name Sherwood?
Meaning and origin
The last name Sherwood is of English origin and derives from a combination of Old English words. The first part, "scir," means bright or clear, while the second part, "wudu," means wood or forest. The name Sherwood originally referred to someone who resided near a bright or clear wood or forest, indicating a geographical association. Over time, the name Sherwood became established as a hereditary surname, passed down through generations.
The longer story
The last name Sherwood has roots in the Old English language. It is derived from the words "scir" meaning "bright or clear" and "wudu" meaning "wood or forest." The combination of these two words gives Sherwood the meaning "bright or clear wood."
According to historical records, the surname Sherwood can be traced back to the county of Nottinghamshire in England. This forest was once a vast woodland that covered a significant portion of the county.
Early variations of the Sherwood surname include "Sherwode," "Schirewood," and "Shirwude," among others. These variations reflect the different spellings used during different periods of history, as spelling conventions were not standardized until much later.
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.
#1,685
Sherwood was the 1,685th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 21,384 people, about 6.9 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Sherwood
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Sherwood 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.