Elwood Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Elwood Origin:

England

Origins of Elwood:

The origin of this unique and interesting surname originally evolved from Anglo-Saxon, it is a locational name, or from an Olde English pre 7th Century specific name. As a locational surname, Ellwood and its different forms Elwood and Allwood evolved from the place named Ellwood in Gloucestershire. The name of the place means “the older forest,” which evolved or originated from the Olde English “ellern,” which means older tree, with “wudu,” which means wood. Locational surnames were commonly obtained by a common landholder, or by the King of the palace, and particularly by those old citizens of an area who had to migrate to another place, mostly in seek of work, and then they are best recognized by the name of their home town. Ellwood may also evolve from the Olde English particular name “Aelfweald”, which is the combination of the components “aelf”, elf, and “weald”, rule, and is registered in the Domesday Book of the year 1086 in its Latinized formation as “Aluuoldus” and “Alfuuold”. The wedding of John Allwood and Elizabeth Littlefield is registered at St. James’s Chapel, Duke’s Place, London, on March 1680.

Variations:

More common variations are: Ellwood, Elwwood, Elewood, Elwod, Eellwood, Ellwoode, Eleywood, Alwood, Elwwod, Ewlood.

England:

The origins of the surname Elwood is found in Gloucestershire where people held a family seat from early times.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Robert Elwald, dated about 1469, in the “Register of the Freemen of the City of York”. It was during the time of King Edward IV, who was known to be the “The Self Proclaimed King,“ dated 1461 – 1483. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Elwood had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Elwood settled in the United States in three different centuries respectively in 17th, 19th, and 20th. Some of the people with the name Elwood who settled in the United States in the 17th century included Henry Elwood arrived in Virginia in the year 1624. Henery Elwood and John Elwood arrived in Virginia respectively in the years 1624 and 1645. Thomas Elwood landed in Pennsylvania in the year 1682.

Some of the people with the surname Elwood settled in the United States in the 19th century included John Elwood would eventually settle in New York in 1834. L Elwood arrived in San Francisco, California in the year 1851.

Some of the people with the surname Elwood settled in the United States in the 20th century included Bridget Elwood at the age of 34, landed in America from Galway in 1903. Charles Elwood at the age of 11 arrived in America from Stokestown in 1903. Annie Elwood from KilKelly at the age of 23 arrived in America in the year 1910. Calhoun J. Elwood emigrated to America in 1911 and Deda Elwood at the age of 50 landed in America in 1913.

Canada:

Some of the people with the surname Elwood who settled in Canada in the 20th century included Arthur Elwood at the age of 29 emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1914.

Australia:

Some of the people with the surname Elwood who settled in Australia in the 19th century included B. Elwood arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Spartan” in 1849. Alicia Elwood and Mary A. Elwood who were the home servant arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the same ships “Fortune” in the same year, 1854.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Elwood: United States 6,297; England 780; Australia 132; Canada 380; Wales 56; New Zealand 95; Ireland 115; Hungary 131; Northern Ireland 262; Scotland 66.

Notable People:

Augustus R. Elwood (1819-1881), was a New York lawmaker and politician.

Brian Elwood (born 1933), was a New Zealand public servant.

Edwin L. Elwood (1847-1907), was an American knight.

Eric Elwood (born 1969), was an Irish player in a rugby union.

Graham Elwood (born 1969), was an American entertainer, artist, and author.

James Elwood (born 1922), was a British doctor.

Jimmy Elwood (1901-1936), was an Irish football player.

Paul Elwood (born 1958), was an American songwriter and banjo player.

Roger Elwood (1943-2007), was an American science fiction author.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (co. York). Erm. on a chief gu. a lion ramp. issuant or.
2) (Clayton Priory, co. Sussex). Motto—Fide et sedulitate. Az. a, chev. ar. in chief two mullets or, in base a buck’s head cabossed of the second, attired of the third. Crest—A dexter arm embowed in armour, the hand brandishing a battle axe all ppr.
3) (granted to the descendants of William Elwood, Esq., of Loghmaske, co. Mayo). Erm. on a chev. gu. betw. three shamrocks slipped vert as many bezants, on a chief of the second a demi lion or. Crest—A lion ramp. gu. resting the forepaws on the trunk of an oak tree ppr.