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

Whelchel, 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 Whelchel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whelchel in America

Whelchel is the 15147th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whelchel surname appeared 1,947 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 Whelchel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whelchel 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 Whelchel

The surname Whelchel originates from England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "wæl" meaning well or spring, and "chele" meaning cold or chill, suggesting a connection to a cold well or spring in a particular location.

The earliest known record of the name Whelchel appears in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire, England, dating back to 1273, where it is spelled as "Whelehechole." This document lists landowners and tenants at the time, indicating that the Whelchel family had established roots in the area.

During the medieval period, the name Whelchel was primarily concentrated in the counties of Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire in the East Midlands region of England. It is likely that the name originated from a place name or a topographical feature, such as a cold spring or well, in one of these counties.

In the 16th century, various spellings of the name began to emerge, including Welchell, Whelchell, and Whellchell. This variation in spelling was common during this time due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One notable figure bearing the Whelchel surname was William Whelchel, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Northamptonshire in the late 16th century. Records indicate that he owned substantial properties and was involved in local governance.

In the 17th century, the Whelchel family continued to spread across England, with some members migrating to other parts of the country. John Whelchel, born in 1625, was a prominent figure in the mining industry in Derbyshire, owning several lead mines and contributing to the local economy.

Another individual of note was Elizabeth Whelchel, born in 1689 in Cambridgeshire. She was a renowned herbalist and midwife, widely respected for her knowledge of medicinal plants and her expertise in assisting with childbirth.

As time passed, the Whelchel surname continued to evolve, with variations such as Welchell, Welchel, and Welchle emerging in different regions of England. Despite these spelling changes, the name maintained its distinct identity and connection to its English roots.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Whelchel surname, including:

1. Robert Whelchel (1754-1832), a prominent English scientist and inventor known for his contributions to the development of early steam engines.
2. Mary Whelchel (1812-1891), an English author and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education reform.
3. William Whelchel (1835-1910), a successful businessman and philanthropist who founded several charitable organizations in London.
4. John Whelchel (1868-1946), an influential English architect known for designing numerous churches and public buildings in the Gothic Revival style.
5. Emily Whelchel (1897-1978), a celebrated British painter and sculptor whose works are featured in several prestigious art galleries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whelchel

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

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

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

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