Wakelin
An English surname derived from the Middle English "Wachen" meaning "watchman" or "sentry."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Wakelin. That puts it at #82,908 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Wakelin 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
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#82,908
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
227
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 227 bearers of the surname Wakelin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 82908th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Wakelin, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Wakelin
The surname Wakelin originates from England and dates back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have evolved from the Old English personal name Waccelinus, which is a diminutive form of the name Wacca, meaning "watchful" or "vigilant." The name was initially prevalent in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wakelin can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where it appears as "Wacelin." The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also mention a "Wakelyn de Drayton" from Oxfordshire.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholders in England compiled in 1086, does not include the name Wakelin or its variants. However, it does feature several entries with the root name "Wacca," suggesting the name's ancestral origins.
In the 13th century, the name Wakelin appeared in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1221, which documented legal proceedings in the royal court. One entry mentions a "Walkelinus de Ardern" from Warwickshire.
During the 14th century, the surname Wakelin was found in various historical records, such as the Patent Rolls of 1348, which reference a "John Wakelyn" from Norfolk. In the same century, a "William Wakelyn" was recorded as a Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire in 1376.
Notable individuals with the surname Wakelin throughout history include:
1. Sir John Wakelin (1528-1586), Lord Mayor of London in 1585.
2. Thomas Wakelin (1616-1692), an English clergyman and author.
3. Robert Wakelin (1771-1852), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars.
4. George Wakelin (1834-1910), a British architect and surveyor.
5. William Wakelin (1875-1942), an English cricketer who played for Worcestershire County Cricket Club.
The surname Wakelin has also been associated with various place names, such as Wakelin Green in Hertfordshire and Wakelin Farm in Oxfordshire, which may have influenced the name's evolution and distribution across different regions of England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Wakelin
Among Census respondents with the surname Wakelin, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Wakelin 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 Wakelin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.0%
- Hispanic or Latino3.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Wakelin 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 | #82,908 | #82,908 | 0.0% |
| Count | 227 | 227 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Wakelin bearers went from 227 to 227 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #82,908 to #82,908.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Wakelin
FAQ
Wakelin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Wakelin?
The surname Wakelin holds position #82,908 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Wakelin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Wakelin, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%). 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.