Surname Homewood - Meaning and Origin
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Homewood: What does the surname Homewood mean?
The origin of the last name Homewood is thought to come from an Anglo-Saxon surname which meant “at the house in the wood”. The name likely developed from either an individual who lived in such a locale or as a reference to a location such as an actual house or a defined forest area.
It is considered to be a habitational surname, in that it was given to individuals either dwelling in or from a specific geographic location. The term “home” itself has a variety of meanings, such as a dwelling, a safe space, a connection to family and ancestral roots, a sense of belonging, and a feeling of security and comfort.
The term “wood” likely refers to a dense forested area which could have been an individual's home, a gathering place, or the basis for a meaningful activity such as hunting or fishing. A wood can also symbolize a sense of interconnectivity with the natural world and how part of the environment can become integrated into our sense of home.
The surname Homewood is thus an apt description that conveys not only a physical place but also the feeling of being safe, rooted, and connected to a greater sense of home– a universal concept that all those who bear the surname can relate to.
Order DNA origin analysisHomewood: Where does the name Homewood come from?
The last name Homewood is most commonly found in Canada and Great Britain. In the United Kingdom, the name is spread across the East and South East of England, with higher concentrations in the areas of London, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Its presence in Canada is more widespread; the name is found in almost all of the provinces, although the highest densities are in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. It is worth noting that the distribution of Homewood in English-speaking countries may be influenced somewhat by the substantial number of immigrants who have come from Ireland.
In terms of its historical origin, the surname Homewood is almost certainly English in origin. It is derived from the Olde English word ‘hām’, meaning ‘home’, and ‘wudu’, meaning ‘wood’, which could mean one of two things; either someone who lived near a wood near their home, or a family who managed a wood or patch of woodland as part of their job. Thus, the most likely origin of the name is that it is topographical – associated directly with somebody’s home.
Variations of the surname Homewood
The surname Homewood has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Home Wood, Home-Wood, Hommwood, Hamwode, Hameuud, Hamwud, Hammwud, Homwode, Homud, Houchwood, Huffwood, Hullwood, Humewood, Hemmed, Hemmett, Homeswood, Homeswod, Humwod, Humeud, Hamud, Homeywood, Homewode, Homeod, Homeodde, Hummood, Hemod, Hemwed, Homewidd, Hammerwood, Homwotd, Homeud, Huumud and Homewud. Most of these are derived from the Old English “holm wudu,” which translates to “island wood.” Alternatively, it may possibly have originated from “heim wodu” meaning “home wood.”
The spelling of the surname has changed with time, but its basic root is the same. For example, the older form “Hommwood” has evolved into “Homewood” over time. It is likely that the surname was first adopted by people who lived near an area of woodland, or by those assigned to maintain or guard such an area. In the Middle Ages, people often took a name based on their local surroundings or places they visited frequently.
The families who have this surname are primarily found in the United Kingdom, including Scotland, England and Wales. However, people carrying the name have also immigrated to other parts of the world, most prominently the United States. In the late 1800s, many people of British descent settled in the USA, bringing their surnames with them.
Famous people with the name Homewood
- Emerson Homewood: A creator, director, and showrunner of television and feature films.
- Amanda Homewood: A paralympic table tennis player from Australia.
- Stewart Homewood: A sculptor and painter, best known for his realistic figurative bronze sculptures.
- Annie Homewood: An English actress known for her work in movies, TV shows, and stage productions.
- Eric Homewood: A Canadian basketball player.
- Ozzie Homewood: An actor and production designer, best known for his work in movies and television.
- William Homewood: An early English landscape painter.
- John Homewood: A former American soccer player.
- Sam Homewood: A British radio presenter and voice actor.
- Ryan Homewood: An Australian born music producer, artist, and singer/songwriter.