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

Wellspeak, 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 Wellspeak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wellspeak in America

Wellspeak is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wellspeak surname appeared 112 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 Wellspeak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wellspeak 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 Wellspeak

The surname Wellspeak has its origins in the English county of Derbyshire, where it can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "well" and "spæc," which together meant "one who speaks well" or "eloquent speaker." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who was known for their oratory skills or ability to communicate effectively.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Derbyshire Feet of Fines from 1292, where a certain William Wellspeak is mentioned in connection with a land transaction. This document provides valuable evidence of the name's existence and usage during the medieval period.

The name Wellspeak also appears in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from the late 14th century, indicating that individuals bearing this surname were present in the region at that time. These records often provide insights into the lives and occupations of those listed, adding depth to our understanding of the name's historical context.

In the 16th century, a notable figure with the surname Wellspeak was John Wellspeak (c. 1520 - 1584), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. His legacy includes the construction of a substantial manor house, which still stands today and serves as a testament to the family's prosperity and influence during the Tudor era.

Another significant individual was Elizabeth Wellspeak (1678 - 1745), a prominent Quaker minister from Hertfordshire. Her writings and sermons were widely circulated and influential within the Quaker community, reflecting the name's association with eloquence and effective communication.

In the 18th century, the name Wellspeak can be found in various parish records and historical documents across Derbyshire and neighboring counties, indicating its continued presence and geographical spread throughout the region.

One notable example is William Wellspeak (1734 - 1819), a successful farmer and landowner from the village of Ashbourne, Derbyshire. His descendants played an important role in the local community, with several serving as prominent figures in the area's agricultural and civic affairs.

These examples illustrate the rich history and enduring legacy of the Wellspeak surname, which has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions throughout the centuries. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, the name's association with eloquence and effective communication has remained a consistent thread throughout its evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wellspeak

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

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

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

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