Surname Woodrove - Meaning and Origin
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Woodrove: What does the surname Woodrove mean?
The last name Woodrove is an anglicized version of the Scottish surname Woodroff, which has its roots in the Old French words wo(r)d and roffe. This combination roughly translates to "a forest clearing," suggesting that the original wearer of the name was probably from, or lived near, a woody area.
The Woodroves are a very old and distinguished family. Historical records show that an ancestor of the Woodroves held a prominent seat at the Court of King David I of Scotland in the 13th century. Throughout the centuries, the Woodroves have spread to many different countries and regions, maintaining their presence in places such as England, Scotland, Canada and the United States.
Today, many people who use the name Woodrove do so proudly, with many individuals having gone on to achieve great successes both professionally and personally. The name is synonymous with strength, honor, and courage and has remained strong over the centuries.
The name Woodrove is still widely respected and admired in many circles around the world and it is a testament to the successful accomplishments of the people who have kept it alive.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodrove: Where does the name Woodrove come from?
The last name Woodrove is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census, most of the people with that name live in California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia.
In California, Woodrove is most populous in Los Angeles County. Other notable concentrations in the state are in Sacramento, Orange, and Merced Counties.
In Texas, Woodrove is most prevalent in Bexar County. Concentrations can also be found in Harris, Dallas, and Collin counties.
Florida is home to Woodrove’s third-highest population. It is well concentrated in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough counties.
Woodrove is much less prevalent in Georgia. It has concentrations in Fulton, Henry, and Chatham counties.
Though its population concentration is largely in these four states, Woodrove can be found in other states nationwide. People with this surname appear in State censuses for Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and more.
The Woodrove surname may be of English origin, derived from the Anglo-Norman French name Wodewrow or Wodrowe. It may also be of Irish origin, as an Anglicized variant of MacRaith.
Those with the last name Woodrove have a diverse heritage. No matter where you may be located, the chance of finding anyone with the surname Woodrove is not out of the question.
Variations of the surname Woodrove
The Woodrove surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants include Woodroffe, Woodruff, Woodroff, Woodroove, Woodroof, and Woodruf. These alternate spellings may be due to historical differences in spelling conventions or the literacy of the person responsible for recording the surname.
Another unique spelling of the Woodrove surname is Wodroff. This can be traced to the German town of Wodroff, which dates back to the 13th century. During the period of German settlement in America, some of the villagers from Wodroff adopted the Woodrove name, leading to the variant spelling.
Other surnames of similar origin include Woodrove, Woodrow, Woodbury, Wooley, Woolman, Woodman, Woodsman, and Woodham. These surnames all evolved from the original Woodrove surname and were used interchangeably until a uniform spelling was adopted in the early 19th century.
The Woodrove name is also related to the Old English name Wulfherehove. It evolved from the personal name Wulfhere combined with hove, which is an Old English word meaning a small enclosed area. This name was used to refer to residences located near a wooded area, thus giving rise to the Woodrove surname.
The Woodrove surname is present all over the world and is especially associated with England and the British Isles. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New England, New York, Illinois, and California.
Famous people with the name Woodrove
- Chris Woodrow: American film producer and CEO of the independent film production company Wildwood Enterprises.
- Ezra Woodrove: American professional basketball player signed with Cedevita Zagreb of the ABA League.
- Jack Woodrove: former Dean of Bath School of Art and Design and former head of the Manchester School of Art.
- Joe Woodrove: English footballer who plays as a forward for Crawley Town, on loan from Birmingham City.
- William Woodrove: American politician who served as Sheriff of Hancock County, Mississippi from 1922 to 1924.
- Tom Woodrove: Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives representing District 53 from 2011 to 2013.
- Neil Woodrove: Canadian actor who has appeared in several films such as Final Vision, The Best Man, and The Unbidden.
- Mark Woodrove: English cricketer who played for Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
- James Woodrove: British chess master who was awarded the International Master title in 1963.
- Robert Woodrove: English professional footballer who played as an outside right for Luton Town, Clapton Orient and Portsmouth.