Harwood

Harwood is a surname of English origin, derived from Old English elements hær, meaning "hare," and wudu, meaning "wood." The name likely originated as a topographic surname for someone who lived near a hare-infested woodland or woods.

Origins and Distribution

The Harwood surname is most commonly found in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire in England. The first recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 12th century in Lancashire.

Notable Individuals

  • John Harwood (1888 - 1940): An English scientist credited with the invention of the first self-winding watch mechanism.

  • Edith Harwood (1925 - ): A prominent British artist known for her landscape paintings and contributions to the modern art movement.

Variants

Variants of the surname Harwood include Harward and Hardwood.

Crest and Coat of Arms

The Harwood family crest typically features elements such as a blue shield with a silver cross, symbolising faith and protection. While there is variation in the design of individual coats of arms, this imagery is commonly associated with the Harwood surname.

References

  • Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.
  • Harwood Family History. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.harwoodfamily.com

There are approximately 13,172 people named Harwood in the UK. That makes it the 679th most common surname in Britain. Around 202 in a million people in Britain are named Harwood.

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

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert

Female

  • Christine
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Julie
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

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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