Underwood

Underwood is a surname of English origin that is primarily locational, referring to someone who lived near a wood or forest. The name is derived from the Old English words under (meaning "under" or "below") and wudu (meaning "wood" or "forest"). Variants of the name may include Underwoode, Underwode, and Underwoud.

Origins and History

The surname Underwood is believed to have originated in various places throughout England where woods or forests were prevalent, particularly in regions such as Nottinghamshire, Kent, and Essex. The name likely first emerged in the Middle Ages when surnames became necessary for differentiating between individuals with the same given name.

Notable Individuals

Blair Underwood - An American actor and director, known for his roles in television series such as L.A. Law and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Carrie Underwood - An American country music singer and songwriter, who rose to fame after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005.

Variant Spellings

The surname Underwood may appear in various spellings and forms due to the evolution of language over time. Some common variant spellings include Underwoode, Underwode, and Underwoud.

Distribution

The surname Underwood is most commonly found in England, particularly in regions where forests and woodland areas were abundant historically. However, descendants of individuals with the surname can be found in many other parts of the world, with significant populations in the United States and Canada.

Coat of Arms

The Underwood family coat of arms typically features symbols associated with nature, such as trees or leaves. These heraldic symbols often reflect the surname's origin and meaning related to woods and forests.

There are approximately 14,102 people named Underwood in the UK. That makes it the 634th most common surname in Britain. Around 217 in a million people in Britain are named Underwood.

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
  • Richard
  • Robert

Female

  • Alison
  • Angela
  • Christine
  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Jennifer
  • Joanne
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • 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.

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