Orpwood Family History

The name is an altered form of Orpet, which was previously known as Orpede and Orpud. In this evolution, the final syllable has been re-interpreted through folk etymology as a weakly stressed pronunciation of -wood. Historical instances include Rchd Orpud from 1608 and Dattin Orpwood from 1737, as recorded in the IGI from Bampton, Oxon.

Further examples can be found in the IGI records from Holborn, Middx, where Morris Orpitt appeared in 1623, and Thomas Orpwood was documented in 1730. In Stepney, Middx, John Orpitt was noted in 1644, alongside Mary Orpwood in 1799 and James Orpood in 1805.

In addition, the final syllable of the name was sometimes re-interpreted as a weak pronunciation of -head or -hood. For instance, Thomas Orpiet was recorded in 1684, while Edward Orphed and Edward Orphod appeared in 1718, followed by Elizabeth Orpwood in 1816, in IGI records from Abingdon, Berks.