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

Wheelhouse, 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 Wheelhouse surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wheelhouse in America

Wheelhouse is the 63218th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wheelhouse surname appeared 316 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 Wheelhouse.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wheelhouse 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 Wheelhouse

Wheelhouse is a surname of English origin, first recorded in the northern regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire. The name dates back to the medieval period, around the 13th and 14th centuries. Wheelhouse is derived from the Old English elements "hwēol," meaning "wheel," and "hūs," meaning "house." It is thought to have referred to someone who lived near or worked in a building where wheels were made or repaired.

The surname Wheelhouse likely originated in areas where the industry associated with wheels was prominent, possibly near forges or workshops that specialized in producing wagon wheels, mill wheels, or other large wooden wheels. This occupation-based name would have applied to individuals who were engaged in the trade or lived in close proximity to such establishments.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wheelhouse appears in the Yorkshire Poll Tax records of 1379, which list a John Wheelhouse. This indicates that the surname was in use by that time and had some degree of local significance. Old spellings of the name included variations such as Whelehouse and Whelehowse, reflecting the phonetic spellings common in medieval documentation.

Historical manuscripts and records from the ensuing centuries continued to show instances of the surname Wheelhouse, particularly in parish registers and land deeds. William Wheelhouse, born circa 1595 in Yorkshire, is noted in a number of mid-17th century records, including his involvement in local land transactions.

The surname also ties to place names and establishments. In some cases, locations or houses bearing the term "Wheelhouse" in their names were documented, indicating the presence of individuals or families by that name. For example, Wheelhouse Farm in West Yorkshire suggests the surname's connection to specific properties or locales.

Notable figures with the surname Wheelhouse include Joseph Wheelhouse (1834–1909), a distinguished British surgeon and professor known for his contributions to medical literature and education during the 19th century. Another significant figure is John Henry Wheelhouse, born in 1868, who played a prominent role in the development of agricultural techniques and machinery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Henry Wheelhouse, a prominent 18th-century figure, was involved in the early industrial developments of Northern England, being one of the key players in the establishment of early mechanized textile production. The Wheelhouse family name continued to feature in public records and documents of the industrial revolution, often linked to advancements in manufacturing and craftsmanship.

Additionally, George Wheelhouse, noted for his political involvement in the early 19th century, was a member of the Yorkshire local government. His contributions to community development and local politics were well recorded in the annals of the time.

Throughout its history, the surname Wheelhouse has been intrinsically connected to the trades and locations associated with wheels and industry. The name retains a specific regional flavor, and the historical references and notable individuals carrying the surname suggest its longstanding presence and influence in English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wheelhouse

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

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

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

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