Woodhams is an English surname that originated as a variant of Woodham. The root name Woodham is a locational surname dating back to the Old English period, derived from wudu meaning "wood" and ham meaning "home, settlement". Thus, Woodham once referred to a person who lived near a wood or in a wood-side settlement. Over time, the possessive or plural form Woodhams emerged, likely denoting a patronymic or habitational origin, and became established as a separate surname. Geographical Distribution The surname Woodhams is most commonly found in Southeast England, particularly in the counties of Kent and East Sussex. The name's distribution mirrors historical settlement patterns where families adopted locational surnames to indicate their place of origin. Notable Bearers Several individuals bearing the surname Woodhams have gained prominence in various fields: Edwin Woodhams (1880–1933), an English cricketer who played for Kent during the late 19th and early 20th century. Grant Woodhams (born 1952), an Australian politician representing the regional party The Nationals in Western Australia, serving as the Member for Moore from 2001 to 2013. Richard Woodhams (born 1949), an American classical oboist who was principal oboe of the Philadelphia Orchestra for over 30 years until 2015. Stephen Woodhams (born c. 1964), an English gardener and television personality, known for designing gardens on the BBC programme Gardeners' World. Related Names and Variants The surname Woodhams is closely related to Woodham, which is also the name of several locations in England, including villages in Essex and Surrey. The plural '-s' ending is a common English pattern for patronymic or locational surnames, similar to others like Brooks or Holmes. Meaning: "dweller by the wood home" Origin: English locational surname Type: Variant of Woodham Usage Regions: England, Australia, United States