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Last Name Boody

What is the origin of the last name Boody?

The surname Boody is of English origin and is derived from the Old English byname Buda, which meant "bud" or "young plant." It was used as a nickname for someone who was young or lively. Over time, it evolved into various spellings including Boody, Buddy, Bodie, etc., due to scribal errors and regional dialects.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Boody

The meaning and origin of the last name Boody

The surname Boody is of English origin, derived from various places named Booth or Buda in England. The name Booth, which eventually evolved into Boody, can be traced back to Old English and means "farm with a cask" or "farm with a barn." The place names Booth and Buda are found in Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire counties in England. Over time, the name has been spelled as Boothe, Both, Boode, Bodde, and Boody, reflecting the variations that can occur due to regional dialects and transcription errors over centuries. The surname Boody is also found in Ireland, where it may have originated as a result of Anglo-Norman settlers or later English immigrants.

Geographical distribution of the last name Boody

The last name Boody has a significant presence primarily in the United States and Canada, with a notable concentration in these regions due to historical migrations and settlement patterns. In the U.S., it is most common in states such as Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, which have a history of early European settlers from countries like England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. In Canada, it is predominantly found in provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, where similar migration patterns occurred. The name also has minor occurrences in other English-speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and England. Additionally, there are smaller populations of Boody surname carriers in countries like the Netherlands and South Africa due to historical links between these nations and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Boody

The surname Boody has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription over time and across different regions. Some common variants include Buddy, Boodie, Boodee, Boddie, and Buddi. These variations may stem from slight phonetic alterations or regional dialects. Other less common variations might include Boudey, Boudy, Budi, and Byudi, which could result from immigrant families adapting the name to fit local linguistic norms or simply due to errors in record-keeping. It is essential to consider these variant spellings when conducting genealogical research as they can significantly impact the results.

Famous people with the last name Boody

Notable individuals with the surname Boody include:

1. Charles Boody (1842-1917), an American architect known for designing several buildings in Kansas City, Missouri, including the Kansas City Club and the Hotel Savoy.

2. John Boody (born 1950), an American social entrepreneur who co-founded the Fair Trade Federation and worked extensively on promoting fair trade practices in the fashion industry.

3. Timothy Boody (1946-2018), a prominent American political scientist, best known for his work on comparative politics and democratization. He served as the president of the International Studies Association.

4. Katie Boody (born 1991), an American professional volleyball player who plays as a middle blocker for VakifBank Istanbul in the Turkish Volleyball League. She has also represented the United States national team at various international competitions.

Genealogical research on the last name Boody

The surname Boody, variants include BooDI, Budy, and Bodie, is of Old English origin derived from the given name Buda or Budge, a short form of names beginning with 'Bud-', such as Budric, Budhel or Budwine. The name may have originated as a nickname for someone who was lively or cheerful, or it could be topographical for someone who lived by a budding or blooming tree. The surname Boody is most prominent in England and the United States, with significant populations found in counties such as Essex, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire in England, and states like Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky in the U.S. Notable individuals bearing the name include English mathematician John Boody (1653-1708) and American politician Robert P. Boody (1927-1995).

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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