Surname Sherwood - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Sherwood Lineage: An Intimate Journey through my iGENEA DNA Test Results
My genetic journey with the iGENEA DNA test has been an intriguing saga of exploration and discovery that allowed me to traverse back in time, unveiling the origin of my surname Sherwood. The results ground me in my Anglo-Saxon roots, chart a migratory pathway for Sherwood descendants, and showcase a cultural lens that ties to forestry professions during medieval times.
S. Sherwood
read moreSherwood: What does the surname Sherwood mean?
Sherwood is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English words 'scir' meaning 'bright' or 'shining,' and 'wudu' meaning 'wood' or 'forest.' Therefore, Sherwood essentially translates to 'Shining Forest' or 'Bright Wood.' It originated as a geographical surname, referencing individuals who lived near a bright or shining forest. The name is closely associated with the Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, famous for its legendary ties to the folk hero Robin Hood. The surname Sherwood reflects both an individual's ancestral residence and the natural beauty of England's landscapes. Over time, the surname Sherwood has spread throughout English-speaking regions, gaining variations and adaptations across different cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisSherwood: Where does the name Sherwood come from?
The surname Sherwood is derived from the Old English term ‘sceor wood’, meaning a wood without undergrowth, usually a park. It is quite a popular surname in England, as well as in other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The highest concentration of people with the surname Sherwood is in England, with the county of Nottinghamshire having the greatest number by surname county. Other areas in England with significant numbers of Sherwoods include Suffolk, Oxfordshire, Devon, Kent, Surrey, and Wiltshire.
In the United States, the surname Sherwood also has a source of origin from Nottingham, England. However, it has spread to different parts of the country, with the states of California, New York, Virginia, and Maine providing most of the Sherwoods in America.
Canada and Australia follow a similar pattern to the United States in terms of Arnett surname distribution. In Canada, the province of Ontario has the highest concentration, while in Australia, New South Wales has the greatest number of Sherwoods.
New Zealand offers a slightly different picture. In New Zealand, the surname is most commonly spread in the metropolitan areas of Auckland and Wellington.
Overall, the surname Sherwood is quite common in English-speaking countries today, and is especially prominent in England and its former colonies.
Variations of the surname Sherwood
The origin of the surname Sherwood is from Old English, with the given name of either Scirwode or Schirwode. It is derived from the words 'Scir', meaning 'bright', and 'wood', meaning 'wooded area'. It is yet unclear from which of the two spellings, 'Scirwode' or 'Schirwode', the modern surname 'Sherwood' originated.
Sherwood is also spelled as Sherwoode, Shurwood, Shurwoode, Sherwode, Sherwode, Sherrwood, Sherwoode, Shirwood, Shirwoode, Shierwood, Shirwode, Schirwood, Scirwood, Schirwoode and Scirwoode.
Surnames that are of the same origin as Sherwood include Sherrod, Sherard, Sherrard, Shurrod, Shurrad, Shearwood, Shearwoode, Sheerwood, Sheerwerd, Shearwode, Sheerwode, Shierwood, Shierwerd, Shirrod, Shirard, Shirrad, Shiarwood, Schirrod, Schirrad, Scirrod and Scirrad.
These variants of Sherwood are found in many parts of the world and have spread to countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. This suggests a wide dispersal among regions and countries that has stemmed from the original family name of Sherwood.
Famous people with the name Sherwood
- Robin Hood: British folklore hero from the Middle Ages, traditionally depicted as living in Sherwood Forest
- Patrick Sherwood: English actor and playwright
- Sandy Sherwood: Australian cricket umpire and coach
- Meg Sherwood: Canadian filmmaker and actress
- Garrett Sherwood: American entrepreneur
- Mark Sherwood: Canadian retired ice hockey player
- Maria Sherwood: English actress
- Teak Sherwood: American professional soccer player
- William Sherwood: American television producer
- RJ Sherwood: British film and television director