Expert: Frances Sampey Deak - 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
Most last names started in England in the early 1200s.  It was usually applied to someone to differentiate them from another person with the same name.  Some of the early ones I found in England were Walter de la Wode (1242); John del Wode (1274); Gilbert a la Wode (1275); Elias in le Wode (1279); etc.  It is assumed that these people who came from various places in England were not related. It was given to people having a residence in or near a wood. Also note that since the majority could not read or write, the person writing the name down guessed at the spelling.  As far as Anglo-Saxon or Norman, you cannot tell from the name Wood.

I would guess if you went to other European countries where they did not speak English they would also have given a last name to many people that would translate to Wood or Woods.  Not knowing what country you are in, I would also note that many people moving out of Europe changed their name when they emigrated.

To find out about your particular family, you would have to do research.  Start with what you know, parents, grandparents, etc. as far back as you can find, and then try some of the free research sites on the Internet.  I recommend rootsweb.com and genforum.com.  If you really want to know more after exploring these sites, you will probably have to either hire a researcher or go to a paid site.

I know nothing about Celtic art.

Good luck.