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

Wadkins, 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 Wadkins surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wadkins in America

Wadkins is the 16370th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wadkins surname appeared 1,759 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Wadkins.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wadkins 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 Wadkins

The surname Wadkins is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is likely derived from an Old English word "wad," which refers to a ford or shallow area of a river that can be crossed on foot. This suggests that the name may have been initially adopted by someone who lived near such a ford or crossing point.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wadkins can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from the year 1327, where a Robert Wadkyn is mentioned. This document, which recorded taxes paid by landowners, provides evidence of the name's existence in that region during the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the name appears in various records, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, where a John Wadkyn is listed. Additionally, the Hearth Tax Rolls of Staffordshire from 1666 mention a Thomas Wadkins, indicating the name's continued use in different parts of England.

The Wadkins surname is also associated with several place names, including Wadkins Green in Staffordshire and Wadkin Lane in Gloucestershire. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname or even contributed to its origin.

Among notable historical figures bearing the Wadkins surname is Sir Christopher Wadkins (1518-1590), an English diplomat and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as the ambassador to Denmark and played a significant role in negotiating treaties and maintaining diplomatic relations with other European nations.

Another prominent figure was John Wadkins (1663-1737), an English mathematician and astronomer who made important contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits. He was also a member of the Royal Society and his works were widely recognized in the scientific community of his time.

In the literary realm, Dorothy Wadkins (1909-1965) was a renowned American poet and author, known for her modernist poetry and her exploration of themes related to nature, spirituality, and the human experience. Her collection of poems, "The River's Daughter," published in 1947, is considered one of her most influential works.

The surname Wadkins also has a connection to the world of sports. Arthur Wadkins (1919-2004) was a professional golfer from the United States who won several PGA Tour events and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1986. His son, Lanny Wadkins (born 1949), followed in his footsteps and enjoyed a successful career as a professional golfer, winning multiple tournaments, including the PGA Championship in 1977.

While the Wadkins surname may have evolved and spread across various regions over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in England, where it likely originated from an Old English word associated with a ford or river crossing.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wadkins

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

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 Wadkins 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 Wadkins 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 Wadkins was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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