Surname Woodhull - Meaning and Origin
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Woodhull: What does the surname Woodhull mean?
The last name Woodhull is of English origin and can be derived from a geographical source, a location name. The name could have come from a place referred to as ‘the wooded hill’ in 12th century England, and then may have been adapted when families moved around the country.
The last name Woodhull can also reference a profession. It is believed that it is associated with those who are woodcutters or woodsmen. In the ancient world, woodcutting was an important skill because it was used to make fire, fuel and other important materials. In fact, woodcutters were often perceived as essential members of ancient peasant society, especially during the harsh winters, as they provided firewood to heat the homes and the animals.
The last name Woodhull can also refer to a person who was a dweller by a wooded hill. This type of person could have been a hunter, as they would've had easy access to hunt animals in the wooded area.
The name Woodhull is found quite often throughout the United States, and with more people doing ancestry research, more information is being uncovered about the origins of this name.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodhull: Where does the name Woodhull come from?
The surname Woodhull is primarily found in the American states of New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as Ontario, Canada. The counties with the highest concentration of Woodhulls are New York's Sullivan County and Ohio's Cuyahoga County. There are also Woodhulls spread out all over the United States, as they were early settlers that migrated from the east coast.
The Woodhull family has a rich history in the United States. Colonel Caleb Woodhull was a patriot and an early member of the Sons of Liberty, who signed the Declaration of Independence. His descendants developed into a prominent family in New York, with many members becoming involved in politics, banking, the US military, or the Episcopal Church.
Today, the Woodhulls comprise a diverse group of individuals living in multiple countries. Some members remain in the US and Canada while others have spread into the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. From their original rural roots in Sullivan and Cuyahoga counties, the Woodhulls now occupy a variety of professions ranging from engineering and architecture, to law and business.
In addition, the family is justly proud of the contribution made by their ancestor, Victoria Woodhull. Despite coming from a rural background, ?Miss Woodhull? was an inspirational figure in the American suffragist and women?s rights movement. She is remembered as the first woman to stand for the US presidential candidacy. As such, the Woodhull name is one that has helped to shape American history and society, and it continues to live on today in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Woodhull
The surname Woodhull can be spelled or seen in a variety of ways, or be of different ethnic origins. Variations of this name may include: Woodhall, Woodall, Woodhol, Wudhall, Wudhall, Wudhole, Woodlow, and Woodill. These variants of the surname can all be of Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, and/or Scandinavian origin.
The Anglo-Saxon variety of Woodhull is historically derived from a place name. A likely source of this origin is an ancient place in North Lincolnshire, England, near the borders of the old kingdoms of Northumbria and Mercia, located near the town of Messingham. This spelling could also relate to a Yorkshire village called Woodhall, located in the northern part of England.
The Germanic influence for this family name likely originates from the Middle English word wod-halla. This word, when translated, means the "woody hall," and likely served as the basis of a place name in the region of Saxony, dating from before the 12th century.
The Scandinavian variety of this name may also be of Germanic origin. It is believed that this spelling may have evolved from an Old Norse word wuda-hollr, which translates to "wooded hill." This spelling could have been used to denote a residence situated on a rocky hill rendered partially arboreal due to the presence of young trees.
In summary, the surname Woodhull has a few known variations and can originate from different places and countries. The common variants are most likely derived from Germanic, Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian sources.
Famous people with the name Woodhull
- Victoria Woodhull: a 19th century American suffragist, orator and organizer for women's rights, and precursor in advocating for a woman's right to vote.
- Zephyr Teachout: a teacher, lawyer, and writer, she ran unsuccessfully for New York's 19th congressional district in 2014. She was also the author of Corruption in America: From Benjamin Franklin's Snuff Box to Citizens United.
- Tennie Claflin: Victoria Woodhull's younger sister, a suffragist, lecturer, socialist and labor organizer.
- Delbert Woodhull: a professional baseball pitcher who played for multiple teams from 1884 to 1895.
- Daisy J. Woodhull: famous for being the first female lawyer to practice in New York State.
- Isaac T. Woodhull: an American soldier, lawyer and politician who fought in the American Revolutionary War and served in the New York State Assembly and Senate.
- Charles Woodhull: a renown American carpenter, inventor, engineer and farmer, known for founding the Union Yacht Club, the inventor of the electric street car and one of the founders of the Quincy Iron Works.
- Marcellus Woodhull: a brigadier general during the American Civil War, who is buried in Washington Square Park in New York City.
- Abigail Woodhull: a descendant of Revolutionary War spies who was convicted of treason against the United States for her support of the British during the war.
- Amy Woodhull: a 1920s silent film actress with numerous feature films to her name.