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

Weymouth, 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 Weymouth surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Weymouth in America

Weymouth is the 17406th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Weymouth surname appeared 1,621 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Weymouth.

We can also compare 2010 data for Weymouth 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 Weymouth

The surname Weymouth has its origins in England, with a history that can be traced back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English words "wæge" meaning "a river bend" and "muth" meaning "mouth," identifying it as a topographical name. Thus, Weymouth literally refers to the "mouth of the river Wey," a geographical feature in Dorset, England. The town of Weymouth in Dorset appears to be the primary origin of the surname.

Early records indicate that variations of the name have existed for centuries. The Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror, mentions the area but does not specifically list Weymouth as a surname. The transformation of place names into surnames was a common practice in medieval England, and Weymouth followed this trend.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Weymouth can be traced back to the 13th century. Historical records from that period often show variants of the name such as Waymouth and Weymuth. These variations appear in legal documents and tax rolls, indicating the presence of individuals with this surname in the region.

Notably, Sir John Weymouth, who lived during the early 14th century, is one of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname. His involvement in local governance and landholdings in Dorset provides insight into the social status of the Weymouth family at that time.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of George Weymouth, an English explorer born circa 1585. He is credited with conducting significant explorations along the coast of what is now the northeastern United States. George Weymouth's voyages contributed to early English claims in the New World, and his death occurred in 1612.

Henry Weymouth, noted for his literary contributions in the 17th century, further solidified the surname's historical significance. Born in 1621, Henry Weymouth authored several works related to the English Civil War period, reflecting the intellectual heritage of the family. He passed away in 1684.

Moving into the 18th century, Colonel Edward Weymouth, born in 1742, served with distinction in the British Army. His military career spanned several decades, including service during the American Revolutionary War. Edward Weymouth's death occurred in 1800, marking the end of an era for the Weymouth family’s military involvement.

Another significant figure was Anne Weymouth, a philanthropist born in 1780. She was known for her charitable work in London and Dorset, emphasizing the family's ongoing connection to their place of origin. Anne Weymouth’s contributions to social causes were widely recognized until her death in 1855.

The surname Weymouth, with its origins deeply rooted in the geography of Dorset, illustrates the evolution of topographical surnames in England. The historical references, early recorded examples, and notable individuals underscore the lasting legacy of the Weymouth family throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Weymouth

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

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

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

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