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

Woodhull, 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 Woodhull surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woodhull in America

Woodhull is the 28704th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woodhull surname appeared 830 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 Woodhull.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woodhull 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 Woodhull

The surname Woodhull has its origins in England, dating back to medieval times. It is believed to be a toponymic surname, derived from geographical features or locations associated with the bearers of the name. The roots of Woodhull can be traced to Old English, specifically the combination of the words "wudu" meaning wood and "hyll" meaning hill. This suggests that the original bearers of the surname were likely from a place characterized by or near a wooded hill.

One of the earliest references to the name Woodhull can be found in ancient records such as land charters or manorial rolls. Although the surname does not appear in the Domesday Book of 1086, it emerged in subsequent centuries as families began adopting more permanent surnames. The name Woodhull may have been spelled in various forms, including Wodehill or Woodhill in older records, reflecting the phonetic spelling practices of the time.

A significant figure bearing the Woodhull surname is Richard Woodhull, born in 1620 in Thenford, England. Richard is notable for his role in the early American colonies, having emigrated to the New World. He is one of the earliest recorded settlers with the Woodhull name in America, reaching the shores of Long Island, New York in the mid-17th century. Richard Woodhull's life and endeavors in the American colonies contributed significantly to the establishment of the Woodhull lineage in the United States.

Among the noteworthy descendants is General Nathaniel Woodhull, born in 1722. Nathaniel played a prominent role during the American Revolutionary War, serving as a brigadier general in the Continental Army. His bravery and leadership, particularly in battles such as the Battle of Long Island, have enshrined him in American history. Nathaniel Woodhull's legacy is often remembered in various historical texts and commemorative events.

Another significant bearer of the surname is Mary Woodhull, born in 1743, who was intricately connected with the Culper Spy Ring during the Revolutionary War. Mary, along with other family members, played a crucial role in gathering and transmitting intelligence that ultimately aided the American cause. This clandestine work highlights the involvement of the Woodhull family in pivotal historical events.

The Woodhull name also includes prominent figures in more recent historical contexts, such as Caleb Smith Woodhull, born in 1792. Caleb became the Mayor of New York City from 1849 to 1851, during which he worked on various municipal reforms and infrastructure improvements, leaving a lasting impact on the city's governance and development.

A fifth person of note is Abraham Woodhull, born in 1750, who was another crucial member of the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolutionary War. Abraham's espionage activities, conducted under the pseudonym Samuel Culper Sr., were vital in providing George Washington's army with critical information regarding British troop movements.

The surname Woodhull has deep historical roots, with bearers contributing significantly to various facets of history. From medieval England to the early American colonies, and their influential roles during the American Revolutionary War, the legacy of the Woodhull name is etched into the annals of history through the deeds and accomplishments of its bearers over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woodhull

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

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 Woodhull 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 Woodhull 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 Woodhull was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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