The surname "Woods" is of English, Scottish and Irish derivation, and was a topographical name for someone who lived in the woods. However, did you know our family surname "Woods" is derived from a partial translation of the French surname "Brisbois"? Our direct French-Canadian ancestor and his brother came south from Quebec to fight in the American Civil War and Americanized their family name from "Brisbois" to "Woods". Our family genealogist, Frank Woods, has details on their military service in the Civil War, descendants, where they're buried, etc. "Brisbois" (From American Family Name Origins (Answers.com)): French: from Old French BRISER "to break" + BOIS "wood", hence possibly a nickname for someone who cleared land.