Blackwood

The surname Blackwood originates from the Old English words "blaec" and "wudu", meaning dark or black and wood respectively. It is of toponymic origin, denoting a person who lived by or in a black wood or a dark forest.

The first recorded instance of the name Blackwood in Britain dates back to the 12th century, and it is believed to have originated from areas with dark forests or thick undergrowth, particularly in northern England and Scotland.

Over the centuries, individuals bearing the surname Blackwood have participated in various facets of British society, from agriculture to politics. Notable individuals include Sir Henry Blackwood, a distinguished naval officer in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, and Algernon Blackwood, a renowned author of supernatural fiction.

The Blackwood family name continues to be borne by many individuals across the United Kingdom and the wider British diaspora, reflecting the enduring legacy of this distinctive British surname.

There are approximately 4,653 people named Blackwood in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,025th most common surname in Britain. Around 71 in a million people in Britain are named Blackwood.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Angela
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jayne
  • Jean
  • Karen
  • Linda
  • Louise
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Rachel
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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