As a name, Woodruff is an English topographic name probably given to a person living on a patch of land on which woodruff grew. It has its roots in the Old English term wudurofe, which is a compound of the term wudu, meaning 'wood' along with a second element which is of unknown origin. It is also the name of a perennial herbaceous plant, the leaves of which have a sweet smell. Thus the surname could also have evolved as a nickname for a person using it as a perfume, or possibly an ironical nickname given to a malodorous person.
There are a number of prominent people who share the surname Woodruff such as TV journalist Judy Woodruff and American journalist Bob Woodruff. There are a few cities that share the name as well including a Woodruff in South Carolina and one in Wisconsin in USA.
There are a number of prominent people who share the surname Woodruff such as TV journalist Judy Woodruff and American journalist Bob Woodruff. There are a few cities that share the name as well including a Woodruff in South Carolina and one in Wisconsin in USA.