Calderwood is a Scottish surname that joins two pieces of the landscape — a stream and a wood — into a single, distinctly Lowland name. It is locational rather than a clan, with its roots firmly in the country south of Glasgow.
Quick answer: Calderwood is a Scottish locational surname from Calderwood in Lanarkshire, combining the stream-name Calder with “wood,” and carried by families across Scotland and beyond.
Where Does the Calderwood Name Come From?
The name comes from the lands of Calderwood in Lanarkshire, in the area around East Kilbride south of Glasgow. The first element, Calder, is an old river-name found in several parts of Scotland and northern England, generally understood to mean something like “hard” or “rapid water”; the second is simply “wood.” Together they describe a wooded place by the Calder, and families connected with those lands took the name.
As a place-name surname, Calderwood belonged to those tied to the estate, and it spread outward over the centuries as families moved and emigrated. It remains a recognisably Scottish name, most closely associated with Lanarkshire and the west.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Calderwood Name
What nationality is the Calderwood surname?
Calderwood is Scottish, a locational name most closely associated with Lanarkshire and the west of Scotland.
Is Calderwood Scottish or Irish?
Calderwood is Scottish, not Irish — a place-name surname from Lanarkshire.
What does the Calderwood name mean?
It means the wood by the Calder — combining an old river-name with the word “wood.”
Is Calderwood a clan?
No. Calderwood is a locational surname rather than a clan with its own chief.
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