Expert: Charlotte L. Cowe - 10/26/2009

Question
Hey,

Lets start with this, my surname is Wood, i want to know if

1. my surname is Anglo-Saxon, or Norman? etc. is there really much difference between the two?

2. where abouts did the surname originate?

3. Is it from Germanic Tribes?

4. Does it mean i have Celtic heritage?

5. If so are they any good sites on Celtic tattoo & drawing meanings ect



if you could help me out here it would be EXTREMITY appreciated.

thanks for your time.

-Mitchell Wood

Answer
Mitchell

I am presently abroad on holiday so do not have access to any of my books which may help. Can I reply after the 4 November? I will probably be able to help with the origins of your surname but I doubt I can throw any light on whether you have Celtic heritage unless a search is undertaken into your ancestry.

Charlotte

7th November.  Now that I have returned home I have consulted the publication The Surnames of Scotland and they state that, in Scotland, the surname of Wood would originally come from residing beside a wood. Also Old English also gives this meaning of the surname. It does not appear to be from germanic tribes. You will only have Scottish heritage if your family can be traced to Scotland.The surname Wood occurs in England also. I cannot help you with Celtic tattoos or drawings as this is outwith my area of expertise. I suggest you search the internet for these.

I hope this explanation helps

Charlotte