GREENWOOD
The surname Greenwood is of ancient English origin, deriving from the Old English words grene meaning green and wudu meaning wood. It is a topographic surname given to those who lived near, in, or were otherwise associated with a green woodland.
Its earliest recorded usage appears in the late 13th century. One of the earliest surviving references is John del Grenewode, whose name was recorded in the court rolls of the manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1275 during the reign of King Edward I. This early spelling confirms the surname’s long standing presence within the Yorkshire region.
During the Middle Ages, the use of natural and man-made landmarks for surnames was common; people were often identified by the most recognisable feature of their locality. In this context, the name Greenwood would have been attributed to inhabitants of a green forest or to those residing at a village that may now be lost – possibly the medieval settlement of Greenwood in Yorkshire mentioned in early documents.
The Poll Tax records of Yorkshire from the year 1379 include entries for Johanna de Grenewod and Ricardus de Grenewod, demonstrating the name’s continued use in local ecclesiastical and civil records. Later documentation from the early surviving registers of the diocese of Greater London records the marriage of Henricus Greenwood to Agnete Rende on the 23rd of April 1599 at the church of St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster.
In the early 17th century, the surname crossed the Atlantic when John Greenwood, a sixteen‑year‑old, arrived in Virginia aboard the ship Bonaventure in 1634. He is recorded among the early colonists of New England, illustrating the spread of the name beyond the British Isles during the period of colonial expansion.
Across the centuries, the surname Greenwood has remained firmly associated with its English roots, with a particular concentration in Yorkshire. Its origin as a topographic name continues to reflect a historical connection to the green woodlands of the British landscape.
Typical given names associated with the Greenwood surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Greenwood in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Greenwood are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate caramel biscuit.
There are approximately 28,574 people named Greenwood in the UK. That makes it the 283rd most common surname in Britain. Around 439 in a million people in Britain are named Greenwood.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Greenwood
- Jonny Greenwood - Musician
- Mason Greenwood - Football player
- Alex Greenwood - Football player
- Colin Greenwood - Bass player for rock band Radiohead
- Will Greenwood - Rugby union player
- Margaret Greenwood - Politician
- Joan Greenwood - Actress (1921 to 1987)
- Ron Greenwood - Football player and manager (1921 to 2006)
- Bruce Greenwood - Canadian actor and musician
- Lilian Greenwood - Politician
- Arthur Greenwood - Politician (1880 to 1954)
- Hamar Greenwood, 1st Viscount Greenwood - Politician (1870 to 1948)
- Paul Greenwood - Actor
- Christopher Greenwood - Judge
- Debbie Greenwood - Beauty Queen and broadcaster
- Jane Greenwood - Costume designer
- Rees Greenwood - Football player
- Dick Greenwood - Rugby union football player and coach
- Rosamund Greenwood - Actress (1907 to 1)
- Major Greenwood - Epidemiologist (1880 to 1949)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.