Underwood
What is the origin of the last name Underwood?
Meaning and origin
The last name Underwood has its origin in Old English, specifically deriving from the Middle English term "underwode," which meant "wood or forest underneath." This name was likely given to individuals living near or in wooded areas, denoting their proximity or relationship to the forest.
The longer story
It is primarily of English origin and is classified as a habitational surname, derived from a place name. Underwood, as a place name, refers to a wooded area or forest located beneath or within a larger woodland.
The Underwood surname has been traced back centuries to various regions in England, including Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire.
Throughout history, the spelling of surnames has been subject to variation and evolution, and Underwood is no exception. Different spellings, such as Underwode and Underwude, have been documented in early records. This underscores the fluid nature of last names and the importance of considering historical context when exploring their origins.
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.
#588
Underwood was the 588th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 57,064 people, about 19 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Underwood
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Underwood 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.