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

Wheatfall, 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 Wheatfall surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wheatfall in America

Wheatfall is the 70403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wheatfall surname appeared 278 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 Wheatfall.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wheatfall 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 Wheatfall

The surname Wheatfall is of English origin and bears a strong connection to the agricultural history of the British Isles. The earliest records suggest that this name was established during the medieval period, likely around the 12th or 13th century, a time when surnames started to become more hereditary and widespread. The name Wheatfall is believed to be locational, derived from a landscape feature or agricultural area where wheat farming was prominent.

The term "Wheatfall" breaks down etymologically into two parts: "wheat," from the Old English "hwǣte," indicating the cereal grain, and "fall," which is derived from the Old Norse "fall," meaning a place where something falls or is harvested. Together, Wheatfall could signify an area characterized by its wheat fields or a place known for a significant harvest of wheat. Variations in spelling over the centuries might include "Wheatfal," "Wetfall," and "Whitfal."

One of the earliest historical references to a similar name appears in manorial records from the 13th century in the east of England, particularly in regions known for fertile farming land such as Norfolk and Suffolk. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not record the name specifically, but mentions areas with strong agricultural bases that could be the origin of such locational names.

Among the earliest notable bearers of the surname is John Wheatfall, documented in Norfolk's Assize Rolls in 1273. Another mention comes from a parish record in Suffolk from 1324, listing a Thomas Wheatfall as a tenant farmer. These early records indicate that the bearers of the surname were likely involved in agriculture or lived in regions dominated by wheat farming.

During the 16th century, Elizabeth Wheatfall, born in 1540 and a resident of Cambridgeshire, gained some recognition for her involvement in local charity works, recording her as a notable person in her community. Moving into the 17th century, Richard Wheatfall (1612-1678) from Yorkshire is noted in land deeds and wills, indicating a family of some means.

The name appears in records relating to emigration during the 18th century, with William Wheatfall (1765-1829) recorded as having traveled to the American colonies, settling in Virginia. Another significant individual, Henry Wheatfall (1790-1864), played a role in early American expansion and settlement in the Midwest, reflecting the movement of families bearing this surname as they sought new opportunities.

Through the centuries, the surname Wheatfall has carried with it a legacy deeply tied to the agricultural landscapes of England and has branified along with the migration and settlement patterns of its bearers. The histories of individuals with the surname exemplify the connection to land, harvest, and community, illustrating the evolution of a name firmly rooted in its locational origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wheatfall

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

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

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

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