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Woodbridge Family History

Woodbridge Surname Meaning

English: habitational name from Woodbridge in Suffolk or Dorset both named from Old English wudu ‘wood’ + brycg ‘bridge’ (i.e. a bridge made of timber or one near a wood).

It may also serve as a topographic name denoting a person who lived by a wooden bridge or a bridge in or near a wood.

This derivation is linked to Middle English wode ‘wood’ + brigge ‘bridge’.

Thus, the name encapsulates a geographical feature that reflects the natural landscape wherein the original inhabitants settled.

Overall, the name emphasizes the importance of wood and bridges in the local environment, highlighting their significance in everyday life.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Where is the Woodbridge family from?

You can see how Woodbridge families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Woodbridge family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Woodbridge families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 301 Woodbridge families living in London. This was about 22% of all the recorded Woodbridge's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Woodbridge families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Woodbridge surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Woodbridge ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Woodbridge. 9% of Woodbridge men worked as a General Labourer and 72% of Woodbridge women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Woodbridge were Upholsterer and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Woodbridge | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    9%
  • Carpenter
    7%
  • Incapacitated
    6%
  • Upholsterer
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    72%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Housewife
    2%
  • Incapacitated
    2%

What Woodbridge family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 42,000 census records available for the last name Woodbridge. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Woodbridge census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Woodbridge

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Woodbridge. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Woodbridge immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 5,000 military records available for the last name Woodbridge. For the veterans among your Woodbridge ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Woodbridge military records

You've only scratched the surface of Woodbridge family history

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What is the average Woodbridge lifespan?

Between 1950 and 2004, in the United States, Woodbridge life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1950, and highest in 1964. The average life expectancy for Woodbridge in 1950 was 48, and 71 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Woodbridge

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Woodbridge ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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