Find out how popular the first name Ellwood has been for the last 32 years (from 1990 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ellwood by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Ellwood is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ellwood.

The history of the first name Ellwood

The name Ellwood has its origins in the Old English language. It is a compound name formed from the words "elm" and "wood," which together translate to "elm wood." The elm tree held significance in ancient Germanic cultures, and the name likely emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period in what is now England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ellwood can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was already in use among the Anglo-Saxons prior to the Norman conquest of England.

In the Middle Ages, the name Ellwood appeared in various historical records, though its popularity was relatively limited. One notable figure from this period was Ellwood Vigors, a Welsh knight who fought alongside Edward the Black Prince during the Hundred Years' War in the 14th century.

As the use of surnames became more prevalent in the late medieval period, Ellwood began to transition from a given name to a surname. However, it continued to be used as a first name, particularly among certain religious groups.

One of the most famous individuals named Ellwood was Ellwood Meetkirke, a prominent Quaker minister born in 1655. Meetkirke played a significant role in the early Quaker movement and was imprisoned several times for his religious beliefs.

In the 18th century, Ellwood Bathurst (1684-1775) was a notable English politician and landowner who served as Member of Parliament for several constituencies. He was also a prominent patron of the arts and a friend of Alexander Pope.

Another notable figure named Ellwood was Ellwood Russell (1825-1897), an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts. Russell served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and was actively involved in the abolitionist movement.

In the 20th century, Ellwood P. Cubberley (1868-1941) was an influential American educator and academic. He served as the Dean of the School of Education at Stanford University and played a significant role in shaping educational theory and practice in the United States.

While the name Ellwood has never been among the most popular given names, it has maintained a consistent presence throughout history, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its unique combination of Old English roots and natural imagery has contributed to its enduring appeal.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ellwood was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ellwood, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!