HAYWOOD

Haywood is a surname of strictly English origin, derived from the language and geography of the British Isles. The name first appears in records dating to the late twelfth century and has since remained firmly associated with the English county of Staffordshire, although variations have been found in Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire and Shropshire as well.

Its etymology is straightforward. In Old English, hēg meant "hay" and wudu meant "wood". The composite meaning is thus "hay wood". In Middle English, the elements evolved into hay – itself a form of the Anglo‑Saxon word for an enclosure – and wude, yielding the sense "enclosed wood". Traditionally, such woodlands were often fenced for use as hunting grounds by the nobility, a practice that is reflected in the placename roots of the surname.

Historical documents record the place names Great and Little Haywood in Staffordshire as Haiwode in the Domesday Book of 1086 and later as Heywode in 1279. The first personal use of the surname is recorded in the chartulary of the Priory of St. Thomas the Martyr: Anselm de Haiwod, dated around 1199, during the reign of King Richard I. By the middle of the thirteenth century, the spelling appears as Adam de Heyuuode in the Lancashire Assize Court Rolls of 1246. The name continued to be used in the early modern period, as shown by the marriage of John Haywood and Joane Tynnyswoode on 15 May 1547 in St. Mary Magdalene, Old Fish Street, London.

As a locational surname, Haywood indicates that its original bearers lived near or worked within a wooded area where hay was cultivated or stored. The name encapsulates both a geographical feature – a wood – and an occupation connected with hay production, thereby offering insight into the agrarian context of medieval England. The surname remains a tangible link to the historic landscape and to the medieval practice of enclosing forested areas for cultivation and hunting.

Typical given names associated with the Haywood surname

Male

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

Female

• Christine
• Claire
• Elizabeth
• Emma
• Jane
• Julie
• Lisa
• Margaret
• 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 Haywood in...

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Did you know?

According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Haywood are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Malted milk biscuit.

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 Haywood

• Pippa Haywood - Actress
• Chris Haywood - Australian actor
• Rickie Haywood-Williams - Television presenter and DJ
• Matthew Haywood - Ice hockey centre
• Nigel Haywood - Diplomat
• Esme Haywood - Cricketer (1900 to 1985)
• William Haywood - Architect, active in Birmingham. (1876 to 1957)
• Gerry Haywood - Darts player (1946 to 2016)
• Kate Haywood - Swimmer, Olympic athlete, world championships silver medallist
• Mike Haywood - Rugby union player
• Adam Haywood - Football player (1875 to 1932)
• George Haywood - Football player (1906 to 1992)
• Robert Haywood - Cricketer (1887 to 1942)
• John Haywood - Cricketer (1878 to 1963)
• Paul Haywood - Cricketer
• Robert Haywood - Cricketer (1858 to 1922)

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.

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