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

Wainer, 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 Wainer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wainer in America

Wainer is the 42937th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wainer surname appeared 504 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 Wainer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wainer 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 Wainer

The surname WAINER is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "wægnere," which referred to a maker or seller of wagons. The name likely evolved from an occupational descriptor, indicating an individual who was involved in the wagon-making trade.

The earliest known records of the name WAINER can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Waygnur." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time, reflecting the changes in pronunciation and orthography.

One of the earliest documented instances of the WAINER surname is found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1301, where a certain Richard le Wainer is mentioned. This record suggests that the name had already established itself as a hereditary surname by the early 14th century.

In the 15th century, the WAINER surname appears in various historical records, including the Court Rolls of Glastonbury Abbey in 1445, where a John Wainer is listed. This entry provides evidence of the surname's continued presence and usage during the Middle Ages.

During the 16th century, the name WAINER gained further prominence with notable individuals such as William Wainer (c. 1530-1590), a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol. His legacy is documented in various contemporary records, cementing the surname's place in English history.

One of the most notable figures bearing the WAINER surname was Sir John Wainer (1582-1657), a renowned English politician and member of Parliament. He served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1625 and played a significant role in the city's governance during the turbulent years of the English Civil War.

Another individual of note is Thomas Wainer (1701-1768), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Codford St. Mary in Wiltshire. His literary works, including a treatise on the doctrine of the Trinity, contributed to the intellectual discourse of his time.

In the 19th century, the WAINER surname gained further recognition with individuals like Robert Wainer (1823-1892), a prominent industrialist and philanthropist from Yorkshire. His business ventures and charitable endeavors left a lasting impact on the local community.

These are just a few examples of the individuals who have carried the WAINER surname throughout history, contributing to its rich legacy and enduring presence in various spheres of English society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wainer

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

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

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

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