Elwood is an English surname and given name with multiple possible origins. It can be derived from a place name meaning "elder tree forest" in Old English, from elements ellern (elder tree) and wudu (wood). Alternatively, it may originate from the Middle English personal name Elwald or Alwold, composed of the Old English elements ælf ("elf") and weald ("rule"). Etymology Wiktionary notes that the surname Elwood has several variant forms, including Allwood and Ellwood. The name is also found as a place name in the United States and Australia; notably, Elwood is an inner suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, and there are communities in Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, and elsewhere in the U.S. Notable Bearers Elwood has been used as both a surname and a given name. Notable bearers include American actor Elwood Edwards (the voice of America Online), and fictional character