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

Wess, 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 Wess surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wess in America

Wess is the 20792nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wess surname appeared 1,270 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 Wess.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wess 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 Wess

The surname Wess has its origins in Germany, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "Wies," which means "meadow" or "pasture." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to identify individuals who lived near or worked on meadows or pastures.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wess can be found in the town of Wiesbaden, located in the German state of Hesse. The name Wiesbaden itself translates to "Meadow Baths," which further reinforces the connection between the surname Wess and its meadow-related origins.

In the late 16th century, a man named Johann Wess was documented as a landowner in the small village of Büttelborn, near the city of Darmstadt. This early record provides evidence of the surname's existence and its association with rural areas and agricultural activities.

During the 17th century, the surname Wess began to spread across various regions of Germany. One notable individual from this time period was Hans Wess, born in 1623 in the town of Erfurt, who was a skilled woodcarver and craftsman. His intricate works adorned several churches and public buildings in the region.

In the 18th century, the Wess surname appeared in historical records related to the Lutheran Church in Germany. A prominent figure was Reverend Friedrich Wess, born in 1712 in the city of Leipzig, who served as a respected pastor and theologian. His writings and sermons were widely circulated and influential during his time.

Another notable individual bearing the Wess surname was Wilhelm Wess, born in 1801 in the town of Kassel. He was a distinguished botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life in central Europe. His extensive collection of plant specimens is still preserved in various museums and botanical gardens.

As the 19th century progressed, the Wess surname continued to be present in various parts of Germany, with some individuals emigrating to other countries, such as the United States and Canada. One example is Johann Wess, born in 1845 in the town of Heidelberg, who later settled in Pennsylvania and became a respected farmer and landowner in the region.

Throughout its history, the surname Wess has maintained a strong connection to its German roots and its association with rural landscapes and agricultural traditions. While its prevalence may have fluctuated over time, the name continues to carry a rich heritage and geographical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wess

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

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

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

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