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

Woodzell, 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 Woodzell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woodzell in America

Woodzell is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woodzell surname appeared 127 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 Woodzell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woodzell 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 Woodzell

The surname Woodzell is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is likely to be a variation or derivative of older surnames like Woodhall or Woodwell, which themselves have origins rooted in Old English. The elements "wood" and "zel" or "zell" could derive from Old English words such as "wudu" meaning "wood" and potentially "hyll," "hall," or "wella," which means "hill," "hall," or "well/spring" respectively.

The earliest instances of this surname appear in local parish records and tax rolls in the 13th and 14th centuries in rural areas of England. One of the oldest references can be found in the records of the Hundred Rolls from 1273, where a John de Wodeswelle was listed. This suggests that the name originally described someone who lived near a well or spring in a wood or forested area.

The name Woodzell appeared in various forms throughout history. For instance, the 14th century saw variations like Woodzelle and Woodsell in local church documents. In the early 15th century, a Richard Woodzell was noted in the court rolls of Essex, indicating that the name had different spellings but maintained its root etymology linked to woodlands and water sources.

Historical texts like the Domesday Book do not directly mention the surname Woodzell, but they do enumerate places with similar names that likely influenced the surname's formation. Woodland areas or settlements called Woodseaves and Woodend, noted in other medieval documents, show the prevalence of such naming conventions.

One prominent individual with this surname was Thomas Woodzell, recorded as a yeoman in the Kent region around 1524. His family was known for managing woodland resources, which aligns well with the etymological origins of their name. Another figure, Anne Woodzell, born in 1589, was a noted herbalist in Sussex. Her practice centered around traditional medicine derived from forest plants, adhering to the woodland association of her surname.

By the 17th century, the name had spread to various parts of England and even crossed into the early American colonies. Samuel Woodzell, born in 1642, was one of the early settlers in Virginia. His descendants continued to carry the name across generations, contributing to public works and community services.

James Woodzell, a carpenter from Lancashire born in 1701, was recognized for his craftsmanship in England's burgeoning industrial era. His work in woodworking not only reflected the etymological roots of his surname but also illustrated the occupational ties to wood-related professions.

Another notable person was Mary Woodzell, born in 1745, who became a famed midwife in Birmingham. Her practices and contributions to the community were well-documented, offering a glimpse into the life of a woman bearing this distinctive surname.

The surname Woodzell, while not among the most common, carries with it a rich history embedded in the landscapes and trades of medieval and early modern England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woodzell

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

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

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

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