Researching lineages of Woodcock, and similar variants. All patrilinael males bearing this and similar surnames are invited to participate. Adoptees and others who are genetically patrilineal Woodcocks are also welcomed and invited to participate

If you are a woman, please encourage a father, brother,uncle, or male cousin to Y-DNA test.

Please provide the line of descent from your earliest known paternal ancestor to share with other researchers. Adoptees are also welcome.

We recommend the 37 marker test or higher

Overview:

The purpose of the Woodcock Surname Project is to link present-day descendants in the United States and elsewhere to ancestors in Europe via the applicable lines.  All Woodcock lines we are researching so far point to Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.

Many of these lines are currently genealogically disconnected or possibly incorrectly linked. This project will endeavor to establish DNA reference lines and draw appropriate genealogical inferences.

One immediate goal is to determine whether US Woodcock lines are related. For more details, please refer to the Background.

To join this project, testing at the Y-37 level is acceptable; however, Y-111 and above are strongly preferred for more effective research.

Background:

The Woodcock surname is thought to be predominantly English in origin. According to History of Woodcock family from 1692 to Sept 1, 1912 , William Lee Woodcock , the Woodcock surname as first recorded in London, England in the12th century and referred to a seller of woodcock birds. A very small scattering of early occurrences are noted elsewhere in England.

In the United States, the most recent major work on this surname is the aforementioned History of Woodcock family from 1692 to Sept 1,1912

To help persons researching the Woodcock family breakthrough brick walls, the Woodcock surname DNA Project was launched in April2019. The goal of this project is the acquisition of multiple Y-DNA samples representing various reference lineages to augment genealogical research. A companion tool to traditional genealogy research, DNA testing can prove or disprove hypotheses, determine relationships, and provide clues for further research.Y-DNA analysis can be used to trace the male descendants of a progenitor, all sharing a common surname, through many generations.

Surname Variations