Surname Smalwood - Meaning and Origin

Smalwood: What does the surname Smalwood mean?

The surname Smallwood is of English origin and is regarded as a topographical name. It derives from two Old English words—“smæl,” which means “narrow,” and “wudu,” which means “wood” or “forest.” Therefore, Smallwood roughly translates to "narrow forest." This surname would have been given to individuals residing near or in a small, narrow wood or forest. Like many other English surnames based on geographic features or locations, Smallwood helped distinguish people by identifying their habitual location. Over time, it became a family name passed down through generations. Today, people with the surname Smallwood can be found in many English-speaking countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia. However, the distribution and concentration of individuals with this surname might vary. It's interesting to note that the surname can also be found in various spellings such as Smallward, Smalwood, or Smaleswood, showcasing regional variations and phonetic interpretations of the original topographical description. The name, like most surnames, allows us to glimpse into a part of the history and geography of our ancestors.

Smalwood: Where does the name Smalwood come from?

The last name Smalwood is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. Specifically, Smalwood is most dense in the Midlands region, including counties such as Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire. Smalwood is also found particularly strongly in the West Midlands and is quite common in a number of areas of North Yorkshire, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and East Anglia.

In the United States, the name Smalwood is quite rare. At present, it is most strongly concentrated in Ohio, followed by California, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas. Smalwood is least common in the Southern and Midwestern states.

In terms of its history, the name Smalwood is believed to be an occupational surname derived from the Old English and Norse languages, referring to a small wooded area near a water source. The name Smalwood is also thought to have originally been ‘Smalwode,' which further reinforces the root of the name's origin.

Overall, the last name Smalwood is much more common today in the UK than it is in the US. However, it can be found in both countries and is still recognizable as a relatively old surname.

Variations of the surname Smalwood

The surname Smalwood is of British origin and is found in England, Scotland, Canada, the USA and other countries worldwide. The variants and spellings are Smalwod, Smallwood, Smalwoode, Smawood, Smallwod, Smawlde and Smawood. There are also patronymic surnames formed from this surname, such as Smalwoodson, Smalwoods, Smallwoodson, Smallwoods and Smawoodson.

The earliest record of the surname is that of William Smalwode, dated 1210, in Northumberland, England. This suggests that the name was likely first held by someone from an area near the border of Scotland and England.

The name is derived from the Old English words smal (meaning small or little) and wudu (meaning wood, forest). The Old English root smal probably refers to a small wooded area, a clearing, a small enclave in the wood, or to a small landholding.

The etymology of the name also suggests that it probably referred to someone who lived beside or occupied a small wooded area. It could also have been used as a nickname for someone who was particularly small.

Today, the surname is well represented in England, with concentrations particularly in Yorkshire. In the United States, the name is most common in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. In Canada, the highest concentration of Smalwood bearers is located in Ontario.

Famous people with the name Smalwood

• Edward Woodward: English actor, best known for his performances in The Wicker Man and Callan.
• Alexander Siddig: English-Sudanese actor, best known for his role as Dr. Julian Bashir in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Jodie Foster: American actress, director, and producer, best known for her roles in films Silence of the Lambs, Taxi Driver, and The Accused.
• Arthur Smallwood: Soldier, best known for his service in World War II with the British Army.
• Harry Smallwood: English businessman, best known for his founding of the international publishing house Cassell & Co.
• Earl Smallwood: American basketball player from the early 20th century.
• Ivy Smallwood: Australian poet, best known for her collections of poetry.
• Edward Smallwood: Boer War soldier and noted Canadian officer.
• Norman Smallwood: British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross.
• Mary Smallwood: British actress and singer, who appeared in many West End and pantomime productions.

Other surnames

Smalwode