Linwood is an English masculine given name derived from a surname, which itself originated as a place name. The toponymic surname Linwood referred to a wooded area near a stream, meaning stream forest from the Old English elements hlynn â€Å¡torrent, stream†and wudu â€Å¡wood, forestâ€. Etymology and History The surname Linwood is found in historical records across England, particularly in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Norfolk. As a given name, it became more common in the 20th century, especially in the United States, reflecting the broader practice of using surnames as first names in Anglophone cultures. Notable Bearers Notable individuals with the given name Linwood include: Linwood Barclay (born 1955), Canadian-American humourist, author and columnist Linwood Boomer (born 1955), Canadian-American television producer, writer, and actor, known for Malcolm in the Middle Linwood Earl Briley (1954–1984), American convicted murderer who was executed Linwood Vrooman Carter or Lin Carter (1930–1988), American author of fantasy and science fiction Linwood Clark (1876–1965), American politician from Iowa Linwood G. Dunn (1904–1998), American cinematographer and special effects artist, pioneer of optical printing Linwood Pendleton (born 1964), American environmental economist Linwood H. Rose (born 1951), American academic administrator, president of James Madison University As a surname, notable persons include Scottish footballer Alec Linwood (1920–2003), American artist Elliott Linwood (born 1956), and English singer Sonja Kristina Linwood (born 1949). Cultural Significance The name appears in fictional contexts, such as Linwood Murrow, a character in the television series Angel. Top Nicknames and Forms Lin is a common diminutive. No other direct related or anglicized forms are widely recognized. Meaning: stream forest Origin: English surname from Old English toponym Type: Given name Usage regions: English-speaking countries especially United States, Canada, United Kingdom Gender: Masculine