Redwood

Redwood is an English surname of toponymic origin, derived from the Old English words "read", meaning red, and "wudu", meaning wood. The name may have originally referred to someone who lived near or in a forest of red trees or whose home was made of red wood.

Distribution and Frequency

The surname Redwood is relatively uncommon in the United Kingdom, with most bearers of the name found in the southern regions, particularly in areas with historical ties to forestry and woodwork industries.

Notable Individuals

  • Alexander Redwood (1802–1892) – English botanist and plant collector known for his work on conifers.
  • Diana Redwood (b. 1955) – British sculptor renowned for her large-scale wooden creations inspired by nature.
  • Roger Redwood (1920–2001) – British conservationist and advocate for sustainable forestry practices.

Variants

Variants of the surname Redwood include Redwode, Redwud, Redward, and Redwardson, each reflecting historical variations in spelling and pronunciation.

Throughout history, bearers of the surname Redwood have made significant contributions to fields such as botany, woodworking, and environmental conservation, cementing the name's place within the cultural tapestry of Britain.

There are approximately 1,735 people named Redwood in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,737th most common surname in Britain. Around 27 in a million people in Britain are named Redwood.

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
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Claire
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Jacqueline
  • Janet
  • Jennifer
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Michelle
  • Niki
  • Pamela
  • Patricia
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah

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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