Find out how popular the last name Wooddell is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wooddell.

Wooddell, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wooddell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wooddell in America

Wooddell is the 23432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wooddell surname appeared 1,085 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wooddell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wooddell to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Wooddell

The surname Wooddell originates from England and dates back to the early medieval period. It is primarily believed to be a locational surname, derived from the Old English elements "wudu," meaning wood or forest, and "dell," which is a term for a small valley. The name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked in a wooded valley.

Areas closely associated with the origin of the surname Wooddell are typically rural, forested regions in England. The variations in its spelling can be attributed to phonetic interpretations of the local dialects over centuries. Old records show that similar-sounding names include Woodale, Wooddall, and Woodhall, each reflecting slight differences in pronunciation and spelling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in the 13th century. In 1273, the Hundred Rolls, a census commissioned by King Edward I, documents a Richard de Woddale, highlighting a possible early spelling variation. This indicates the name was already in use in England by the medieval period.

In 1412, a man named Thomas Wooddell was recorded in historical documents from Yorkshire, demonstrating the spread of the surname to the northern parts of England. By the 16th century, the name had firmly established itself, with variations appearing in various manorial records.

A notable individual bearing the surname Wooddell is John Wooddell, who was registered in the parish of St. Mary Aldermary in London in 1612. His involvement in local trade and enterprise signifies the emergence of the Wooddell name in urban settings during the early modern period.

In the 18th century, William Wooddell (born 1735) became known for his involvement in the colonization of America, particularly in the Virginia colony. His contributions to early American society highlight the international migration and influence of the surname.

Another significant figure was Elizabeth Wooddell, recorded in the 19th century census of Staffordshire, England. Her family's continued agricultural pursuits underline the surname's enduring connection to rural and woodland areas.

The Wooddell surname has a rich history intertwined with the landscapes and communities of medieval and early modern England, maintaining its presence through centuries of linguistic and migratory changes. The origins and historical references to the name Wooddell reflect both its geographic roots and its adaptation across time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wooddell

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wooddell.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wooddell was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wooddell has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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