Weldon
Derived from a place name meaning "hill near a spring or stream," from Old English elements "well" and "dun."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 16,898 Americans carry the last name Weldon. That puts it at #2,481 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 4.93 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 20,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Weldon 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
17K
1 in 20,284
Census rank
#2,481
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.9
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
15K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 14,538 bearers of the surname Weldon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 4.93 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2481st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Weldon, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.1%. The next largest groups are Black (13.7%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Weldon
The surname Weldon has its origins in England, and it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from a placename, referring to individuals who hailed from the town of Weldon in Northamptonshire.
The name Weldon is thought to be derived from the Old English words "well" and "dun," which together mean "hill by the spring" or "hill by the stream." This suggests that the town of Weldon was initially established near a natural water source, such as a spring or a stream, situated on a hill.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Weldon can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I. In these rolls, the name is spelled as "Welleden," reflecting the variation in spelling that was common during that era.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Weldon was John Weldon, who served as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire in 1388. Another early bearer of the name was William Weldon, a 15th-century English clergyman who held the position of Archdeacon of Northampton from 1451 to 1471.
During the 16th century, the Weldon family gained prominence in Northamptonshire, with Sir Raphael Weldon (1561-1636) being a notable member. He served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted by King James I in 1616.
In the 17th century, Sir Anthony Weldon (1583-1648) was a prominent figure who gained recognition for his writing. He authored a significant work titled "The Court and Character of King James," which provided insights into the life and reign of King James I.
Another individual of note with the surname Weldon was Walter Weldon (1832-1885), a 19th-century English mathematician and writer. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and authored several influential works, including "The Theory of Chances" and "The Doctrine of Chances."
Throughout history, the surname Weldon has been associated with various places and localities, such as Weldon in Northamptonshire, Weldon in Worcestershire, and Weldon in Buckinghamshire. These place names likely derived from the same Old English roots as the surname itself, reflecting the close connection between surnames and geographical locations during the medieval period.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Weldon
Among Census respondents with the surname Weldon, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.1%. The next largest groups are Black (13.7%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Weldon 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 Weldon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White80.1%
- Black or African American13.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races2.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Weldon 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 | #2,481 | #2,481 | 0.0% |
| Count | 14,538 | 14,538 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 4.93 | 4.93 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Weldon bearers went from 14,538 to 14,538 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #2,481 to #2,481.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Weldon
FAQ
Weldon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Weldon?
The surname Weldon holds position #2,481 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 16,898 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 4.93 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Weldon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Weldon, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.1%. The next largest groups are Black (13.7%) and Hispanic (2.6%). 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.