Woodbury

Woodbury is a surname that originated from a place name in England. It is derived from the Old English words 'wudu' meaning 'wood' and 'burh' meaning 'fortified place' or 'manor'. Thus, it literally means 'fortified settlement in the woods'. The name would have been given to individuals who lived in or near such a place. Over time, this place name evolved into a hereditary surname, indicating a family's origin.

As a given name, Woodbury is exceedingly rare and almost exclusively used in English-speaking countries, primarily in the United States, where it likely arose from the practice of using surnames as first names. Its usage as a first name is a more modern phenomenon, often chosen for its distinguished, old-fashioned, or nature-inspired sound, though it remains far more common as a surname.