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

Waldrop, 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 Waldrop surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Waldrop in America

Waldrop is the 3405th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Waldrop surname appeared 10,503 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Waldrop.

We can also compare 2010 data for Waldrop 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 Waldrop

The surname Waldrop has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "weald" meaning "forest" and "rop" meaning "clearing" or "meadow." This suggests that the name likely referred to a person who lived in or near a forest clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire, where a Walter de Walderop is mentioned in 1221. It's possible that this individual lived near a place called Walderop, which was a forested area with a clearing or meadow.

The Waldrop surname has also been linked to various place names throughout England, such as Woldrop in Herefordshire, Waldrop in Oxfordshire, and Waldrup in Wiltshire. These place names further reinforce the connection between the surname and its origins related to forests and clearings.

In the 13th century, the Waldrop name appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where a Richard de Waldrop was recorded. This document, compiled during the reign of King Edward I, provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that time period.

Fast forward to the 16th century, and we find John Waldrop (c. 1550-1620), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Clothall in Hertfordshire. He is known for his works on theology and religious subjects.

Another notable figure with the Waldrop surname was William Waldrop (1773-1855), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was celebrated for his bravery and leadership during several naval engagements.

In the 19th century, there was Samuel Waldrop (1810-1875), an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Representative from Kentucky. He played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of his state during the turbulent period leading up to the Civil War.

The Waldrop surname has also been associated with the arts, as evidenced by the life of Mary Waldrop (1864-1935), an American painter and sculptor. She gained recognition for her works depicting scenes from rural life and was a prominent figure in the arts community of her time.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the surname Waldrop throughout the centuries. While the name has its roots in England's ancient forests and clearings, it has since spread to various parts of the world, with bearers making their mark in various fields and professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Waldrop

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

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

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

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