Find out how popular the last name Genwright is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Genwright.

Genwright, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Genwright surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Genwright in America

Genwright is the 66931st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Genwright surname appeared 295 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Genwright.

We can also compare 2010 data for Genwright to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Genwright

The surname GENWRIGHT has its origins in medieval England, emerging during the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "gen" and "wyrht," which collectively translate to "skilled worker" or "artisan." The name likely referred to individuals who were proficient in a particular craft or trade, such as metalworking, woodworking, or masonry.

Records indicate that the earliest known bearers of this surname hailed from the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Northumberland. The name's variations in spelling, including Genwright, Genwryght, and Genwryghte, can be found in medieval documents and parish registers from these regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the GENWRIGHT surname appears in the Wakefield Court Rolls of 1275, which mention a Richard Genwryghte. This suggests that the name was already established in Yorkshire by the late 13th century.

During the 14th century, the GENWRIGHT surname gained wider recognition, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One such figure was John Genwright, a skilled stonemason who worked on the construction of Durham Cathedral in the 1330s.

In the 15th century, the name GENWRIGHT began to spread beyond its northern English origins. Historical records from this period mention a Thomas Genwright, a respected blacksmith from Oxfordshire, who lived from 1425 to 1489.

As the centuries passed, the GENWRIGHT surname continued to be associated with various skilled trades and professions. Notable bearers include:

1. William Genwright (1560-1632), a renowned woodcarver from Lincolnshire, known for his intricate church altarpieces.
2. Margaret Genwright (1620-1678), a skilled weaver from Lancashire, whose tapestries adorned many noble households.
3. John Genwright (1675-1743), a master clockmaker from Yorkshire, renowned for his innovative timepiece designs.
4. Robert Genwright (1790-1867), a celebrated architect from Northumberland, responsible for designing several iconic buildings in Newcastle upon Tyne.
5. Elizabeth Genwright (1845-1912), a pioneering female engineer from Warwickshire, who made significant contributions to the development of early steam engines.

While the GENWRIGHT surname may have evolved over the centuries, its roots remain firmly planted in the skilled trades and craftsmanship of medieval England, reflecting the legacy of those who excelled in their respective fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Genwright

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Genwright.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Genwright was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Genwright has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Genwright was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Genwright, please contact us.

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