The name ‘Woodward’ originates from England. It is derived from the occupational name for a forester employed to look after trees and game, from the Middle English word ‘Woodward’, ( a compund of the Old English word ‘wudu’, meaning wood and ‘weard’, meaning guardian, protector. Occasionaly it is derived from the Old English name ‘Wuduheard’, composed of the elements ‘wudu’, meaning wood and ‘heard’, meaning hardy, brave, strong. It is also an occupational name for someone who tended pigs feeding on mast in a wood, from the Old English word ‘wudu’, meaning wood and ‘hierde’, meaning herdsman. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive’s has confirmed that the surname ‘Woodward’ and or it’s variant’s, dates as far back as the reign of Henry VIII, and Edward I, were a ‘Roger le Wodeward’, from the county of Essex, England, is recorded. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive’s confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain ‘Nathaniel Woodward’, from England. He emmigrated to N…
Coat of arms: Vert five…