Wodes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Wodes

What does the name Wodes mean?

The Wodes surname is derived from the Middle English word "wode," meaning "wood," which suggests that the original bearer of the name lived near a wood, or was perhaps employed as a woodcutter or forester.

Early Origins of the Wodes family

The surname Wodes was first found in Leicestershire, England. However, during ascension of William to the English throne, the family were stripped of their land holdings in Leicestershire by the king, and moved north to Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The first of the family in this region are said to descend from a Norman knight by the name of Ernald de Bosco (Bosco is a Latinized form of wood,) who accompanied William the Conqueror. A number of Boscos are thought to have have moved northwards with other Anglo-Norman families in the train of Margaret, King Malcolm Ceanmore's second wife, to escape the ponderous rule of William.

Early History of the Wodes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wodes research. Another 194 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1124, 1153, 1168, 1214, 1295, 1376, 1398, 1488, 1515, 1678, 1680, 1688, 1695, 1761 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wodes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wodes Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Vould, Voud, Vode, Would, Wood, Woods, Wode, Woid, Wodes and many more.

Early Notables of the Wodes family

Notable among the family at this time was Sir Andrew Wood (d. 1515) of Largo, Fife, a Scottish Sea Captain, who rose to become Lord High Admiral of Scotland, he held the lands at Kirkton of Largo in Fife, and is said to be the scion of the Chiefly line of the Woods. Family lore...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wodes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wodes family to Ireland

Some of the Wodes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wodes family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Richard Wood, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Patrick Wood, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; William Wood, who settled in New England in 1635; Walter Wood, who arrived in Virginia in 1639.

The Wodes Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Defend