Dewilde
Refers to one who lived in the wilderness or uncultivated land.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 891 Americans carry the last name Dewilde. That puts it at #30,570 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.26 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 384,685 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Dewilde surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
891
1 in 384,685
Census rank
#30,570
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
763
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 763 bearers of the surname Dewilde in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.26 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 30570th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Dewilde, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (3.5%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Dewilde
The surname DEWILDE originated in the Netherlands and Belgium during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Dutch and Flemish words "de" meaning "the" and "wilde" meaning "wild" or "untamed". The name likely referred to someone who lived in an uncultivated, remote area or had a rugged, uncivilized demeanor.
Early spelling variations of the name include de Wilde, de Wylde, and de Wyld. The first recorded instances of the surname date back to the 13th century in various Dutch and Flemish records and chronicles. One notable bearer was Jan de Wilde, a merchant from Bruges mentioned in a 1287 trade document.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Gildebook van St. Jans-Gilde te Antwerpen, a register of guild members in Antwerp. A certain Willem de Wilde was listed as a member in 1342. The surname also surfaced in the Stadsrekeningen van Gent, municipal accounts of Ghent, where Pieter de Wilde was recorded as a taxpayer in 1378.
During the Renaissance, the DEWILDE name gained prominence with the birth of Joannes de Wylde (1505-1581), a renowned Flemish painter and engraver from Ghent. His works, which included religious scenes and portraits, can be found in museums across Europe.
Another notable bearer was Adriaan de Wilde (1625-1672), a Dutch Golden Age painter from Rotterdam. He was known for his genre scenes depicting everyday life and tavern interiors. His paintings are part of the collections at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Louvre in Paris.
In the 18th century, Jacobus de Wilde (1732-1808) was a Dutch politician and diplomat who served as the ambassador to France during the French Revolution. He played a crucial role in negotiating the recognition of the Batavian Republic by France.
Moving forward to the 19th century, Samuel de Wilde (1811-1868) was a Belgian architect and urban planner. He designed several notable buildings in Brussels, including the Palais des Académies and the Église Saint-Joseph.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the surname DEWILDE, which has its roots in the Low Countries and reflects a connection to the wilderness or untamed nature.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Dewilde
Among Census respondents with the surname Dewilde, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (3.5%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Dewilde bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Dewilde surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native3.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Dewilde surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #30,570 | #30,570 | 0.0% |
| Count | 763 | 763 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Dewilde bearers went from 763 to 763 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #30,570 to #30,570.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Dewilde
FAQ
Dewilde surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Dewilde?
The surname Dewilde holds position #30,570 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 891 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.26 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Dewilde surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Dewilde, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (3.5%) and Hispanic (2.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.