Origin and Meaning of the Surname Woodring

Woodring is a surname with dual Germanic and English roots, both ultimately tied to the word for "wood."

German Origin

Derived from the Old German personal name Wodalrich (or Waltharich), composed of:

• wod / walt – "wood" or "rule"
• rich – "power, ruler"

Meaning: "ruler of the wood" or "powerful in the forest."

English Origin

From the Old English personal name Wuduring, composed of:

• wudu – "wood"
• hring – "ring" or "circle"

Meaning: "wood ring" or "circle of woods"—possibly a topographic name for someone living near a circular clearing or copse.

Distribution & Popularity

• Most common in the United States (ranked ~2,684th).
• Concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and other states with historic German/English settlement.
• Variants: Woodringe, Wodring, Wudering.

Notable Bearers

• Harry A. Woodring (1887–1967) – U.S. Secretary of War under FDR.
• John Woodring – Early Pennsylvania settler (1700s).