 Over the years different variants of the name have been used, including "Wdetuna", "Wodetuna", "Wodetone", "Wudetuna", "Uidetuna" and "Wootton".A number of Bronze Age ring ditches dating from between the 23rd century BC and the 7th century BC have been identified in the area.In 1575 Robert Suckling became Lord of the whole of Woodton, and various members of the Suckling family lived in the parish, including John Suckling (poet) and Catherine Suckling (the mother of Horatio Nelson).