Woodward

Woodward is a surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English elements wudu, meaning wood, and weard, meaning guardian or keeper. The name historically described a person who lived near or protected a wood and has since spread as a family name in English-speaking countries and beyond. As a toponym it has also been used for various places.

Notable individuals with the surname include Bob Woodward (born 1943), an American investigative journalist and author renowned for his reporting on the Watergate scandal and for several politically focused books. The name is carried by many other figures across politics, science, sports, and the arts, reflecting its broad use in public life.

There are towns and communities named Woodward in the United States and other countries, with at least one well-known city bearing the name in Oklahoma. The surname is also used in street names, administrative regions, and various localities, illustrating its role as a common place-name element.

In business and organization names, Woodward appears in several entities. Woodward, Inc. is an American engineering company that develops control systems and energy management products for aerospace, industrial, and power-generation applications; the firm traces its origins to the Woodward Governor Company. The name is likewise found in other corporate, educational, and charitable organizations, reflecting its broad cultural footprint.