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

Woodridge, 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 Woodridge surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woodridge in America

Woodridge is the 73666th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woodridge surname appeared 263 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 Woodridge.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woodridge 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 Woodridge

The surname Woodridge has its origins in England, likely emerging during the medieval period. The name is believed to be toponymic, derived from geographical features of the landscape. It combines the Old English words "wudu," meaning forest or wood, and "hrycg," meaning ridge or raised strip of land. The surname suggests that the original bearers of the name lived near a wooded ridge or a ridge surrounded by woodland.

The earliest records mentioning similar forms of the name date back to the Domesday Book of 1086, a manuscript created on the orders of William the Conqueror to inventory his newly conquered lands. While the exact name Woodridge does not appear in the Domesday Book, related names such as Wudhic and Wuderic are found, indicating early usage of "wood-" and "-ridge" components in place names and surnames.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Woodridge is from the 13th century with the mention of a John de Woderugge in 1275 in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire. This historical reference points to the use of the name in land taxation records, illustrating the surname was already in use and linked to specific localities.

Subsequent historical records show continuity and slight variations in the spelling of the surname. William Woodridge, born in 1385 and died in 1440, was a notable figure in Norfolk, where he was a landowner and possibly a minor lord. Another prominent Woodridge was Thomas Woodridge, born in 1510 and died in 1575, who served as a magistrate in Essex. These individuals highlight the spread and social standing of the surname across different regions in England.

During the 17th century, Richard Woodridge, born in 1603 and died in 1681, made his mark as a merchant in London. His trading ventures extended to the nascent American colonies, indicating the potential expansion of the surname beyond England. This period also saw the rise of John Woodridge, born in 1613 and died in 1694, an early settler in Massachusetts, whose descendants continued to bear the name in the New World.

In the 18th century, Elizabeth Woodridge, born in 1742 and died in 1810, gained some recognition as a landowner and philanthropist in Yorkshire. Her contributions to local charities were well-documented, showcasing the Woodridge name in historical records of social importance.

The surname Woodridge, with its roots deeply embedded in the English landscape, reflects a history intertwined with land, geography, and social development. From medieval tax records to land ownership and migration, the name has traversed centuries, leaving a trail of notable figures and enduring presence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woodridge

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

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

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

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