Wesseh last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Wesseh

A surname of West African origin, possibly referring to a person from the Vai ethnic group.

Wesseh, 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 Wesseh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wesseh in America

Wesseh is the 125282nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wesseh surname appeared 137 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 Wesseh.

The history of the last name Wesseh

The surname "WESSEH" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, specifically in the county of Kent. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "wesse," which referred to a marsh or wetland area, suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near or worked in such a region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named "Wessegh" is mentioned as holding property in the village of Westerham, Kent. This entry provides valuable insight into the ancient roots of the surname and its potential connection to a specific location.

In the 13th century, records show a family named "Wesshe" residing in the village of Westenhanger, also located in Kent. This variation in spelling highlights the fluidity of surnames during that era, as they were often influenced by local dialects and pronunciation.

A notable figure bearing the name "WESSEH" was Sir John Wesseh, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. He was known for his military service during the Hundred Years' War and his participation in several battles against the French.

Another individual of historical significance was William Wesseh, born in 1512 in Canterbury, Kent. He was a renowned scholar and theologian who studied at Oxford University and later became a canon at Canterbury Cathedral.

In the 17th century, a family named "Wesshe" was recorded as residing in the village of West Wickham, Kent. This further reinforces the connection between the surname and the region's geographical features, specifically the presence of marshes and wetlands.

During the 18th century, a prominent figure named Thomas Wesseh (1710-1785) emerged as a successful merchant and landowner in the city of London. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and his support of various charitable organizations.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Mary Wesseh (1792-1867), a renowned author and poet who gained recognition for her works exploring themes of nature and the English countryside. Her literary contributions brought further recognition to the name "WESSEH" during the Victorian era.

While the surname "WESSEH" may have evolved over time and been subject to various spellings, its origins can be traced back to the marshlands of Kent, England, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for those who lived or worked in such environments.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wesseh

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

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 Wesseh was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only 95.62% 131
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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.

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

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

Reference this page

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Wesseh last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/wesseh-surname-popularity/.

"Wesseh last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/wesseh-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Wesseh last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/wesseh-surname-popularity/.

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