HOOD
Hood is a surname of English provenance that has its roots within the British Isles, specifically England. The family name is classified as an occupational name and has been an integral part of Christian naming traditions in the region.
The etymology of Hood stems from the Middle English word hod (also spelled hood), which referred to a hooded cloak or head covering. Consequently, the surname could have arisen as a nickname for a person who habitually wore such an article of clothing or as a metonymic occupational name for a maker or seller of hoods. In medieval society hoods were essential for protection against the elements, especially for travellers and outdoor workers.
Alternative topographical interpretations exist. The name may have been attributed to a person dwelling by a hill shaped like a hood, or it may have evolved from the phrase atte Wood, meaning “at the wood.” Over time the term morphed into a Wood and ultimately into Hood. This indicates that in some cases the surname is a locational reference to a wooded area rather than to a garment.
Some sources record a derivation from the Old English word Hoth (also rendered hod), meaning “hood,” “hat” or “helmet.” In this sense the surname would have applied to a maker of such headgear, a frequent wearer, or a person residing in a landscape described as hood‑like. The earliest definitive record of the surname dates to the 13th century.
Variations of the surname include Hoods, Hoodes, Hoode, Hude, Hudde and Hodde. In Ireland the name was Anglicised from the Gaelic Ó h‑Udan, which translates as “descendant of Udán.” In Scotland it is occasionally linked with the patronymic surnames MacHood or McHood, derived from the personal name Hugh. Throughout the United Kingdom the spelling most frequently encountered remains the simple form Hood, although regional and historical phonetic variations produced several alternate spellings.
Following patterns of migration and colonisation, the surname has spread well beyond Britain. It is now common in English‑speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In the United States, the name is particularly frequent in Texas, California and Florida, reflecting historic settlement and migration movements.
In sum, the surname Hood possesses a multifaceted origin that encompasses occupational, topographical and locational elements. Despite its diverse roots, the name has retained the same spelling across most English‑speaking populations and continues to be recognised as a distinct and traditional surname.
Typical given names associated with the Hood surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Gillian
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- 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 Hood in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Hood are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Ginger Nut.
There are approximately 14,299 people named Hood in the UK. That makes it the 620th most common surname in Britain. Around 220 in a million people in Britain are named Hood.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Hood
- Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood - Admiral known particularly for his service in the American Revolutionary War and French Revolutionar (1724 to 1816)
- Morag Hood - Actress (1942 to 2002)
- Harry Hood - Scottish football player (1944 to 2019)
- Jimmy Hood - Politician (1948 to 2017)
- Sir Joseph Hood, 1st Baronet - Politician (1863 to 1931)
- Ernest Hood - Cricketer (1915 to 1968)
- Derek Hood - Football player
- Miki Hood - Actor (1915 to 1)
- William Hood - Northern Irish football player (1914 to 1)
- Tom Hood - Humorist and playwright (1835 to 1874)
- Jack Hood - Boxer (1902 to 1992)
- Stuart Hood - Writer (1915 to 2011)
- Richard Hood - Professional football player (1881 to 1954)
- Hilary Hood - RAF officer (1908 to 1940)
- Enoch Hood - Football player (1861 to 1940)
- Arthur Hood, 1st Baron Hood of Avalon - Royal Navy admiral (1824 to 1901)
- Alexander Hood - Royal Navy officer (1758 to 1798)
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.