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

Woodlief, 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 Woodlief surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woodlief in America

Woodlief is the 25202nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woodlief surname appeared 983 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 Woodlief.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woodlief 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 Woodlief

The surname Woodlief originates from England and dates back to the medieval period. The name is derived from Middle English, specifically from two components: "wood," referring to a forest or woods, and "lief," which is an old English term that means "dear" or "beloved." The combination suggests a person who lived near or was fond of the woods, or possibly someone who took care of a forested area.

Early records indicate that variations of the surname existed. One such variation is Wodelyffe, appearing in the records of Yorkshire during the 14th century. By the time of the 16th century, the name had evolved to its more recognizable modern form, Woodlief. A notable early mention of the name includes John Woodlief, born in Worcestershire around 1584, who later ventured to the New World and played a significant role in early American history.

John Woodlief became famous for leading the second supply mission to the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. On November 30, 1619, he was also one of the key figures during the establishment of the Berkeley Hundred settlement. Records from Virginia show John Woodlief involved in various community and governance tasks until his death around 1623.

Another individual of historical mention is Anne Woodlief, born in 1626 in Norfolk, England. She made notable contributions to her local community as a midwife and was renowned for her skills and herbal knowledge. She spent her later years documenting local medical practices, a manuscript of which is partially preserved at the Norwich Castle Museum.

In the 18th century, William Woodlief, born in 1731 in Norfolk, migrated to Ireland and became involved in the linen trade. His successful enterprise contributed to the economic development of County Antrim, where records show he established several linen mills. He passed away in 1799, but his legacy in the trade was continued by his descendants.

Stephen Woodlief, born in 1803 in Yorkshire, became a notable figure in the British legal system. As a solicitor, he was known for his advocacy for workers' rights during the early industrial revolution. His works and letters are still studied today by historians interested in labor law and the conditions of the working class during that period. He died in 1864, leaving behind a significant impact on legal reforms.

Lastly, Mary Woodlief, born in 1845 in London, became one of the earliest female advocates for women’s suffrage in England. She held numerous rallies and was an active writer whose articles appeared in early feminist publications of the time. Her activism left a lasting impression on the movement, and she is remembered as a pioneer who passed away in 1922, just shortly after women gained the right to vote in Britain.

The surname Woodlief, with its rich history and notable bearers across centuries, provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of individuals who contributed to various fields and helped shape their communities. This legacy extends from medieval England through early American history and into modern legal and social changes.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woodlief

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

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

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

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