Start your family tree now Is your surname Underwood?
There are already 475 users and over 18,533 genealogy profiles with the Underwood surname on Geni. Explore Underwood genealogy and family history in the World's Largest Family Tree.

Underwood Genealogy and Underwood Family History Information

‹ Back to Surnames Index

Create your Family Tree.
Discover your Family History.

  • Build your family tree online
  • Share photos and videos
  • Smart Matching™ technology
  • Free!
view all

Profiles

About the Underwood surname

Underwood is a surname of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived under the trees in a forest, below a forest on a hillside, or in either of the settlements called Underwood in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire, or in the parish of Symington, Ayrshire. It is derived from the Old English preposition under plus wuda, a wood.

One of the earliest recorded Underwood name bearers to enter America was Joseph Underwood Joseph Underwood of Watertown. On January 2, 1634 he embarked from London on the ship Bonaventure bound for Virginia.

Variations: Underwoode, Underwode

Suggested Readings:

  • Isaac W. Underwood: His Ancestors and Descendants by Willie Bruce Underwood
  • The Underwood Families of America by Lucien Marcus Underwood

Sources: