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

Whetsel, 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 Whetsel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whetsel in America

Whetsel is the 20961st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whetsel surname appeared 1,256 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 Whetsel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whetsel 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 Whetsel

The surname Whetsel has origins deeply rooted in Germany, with its first appearances dating back to the medieval period, specifically around the 12th or 13th century. The name is believed to be a variant or derivative of the German surname Wetzell, which itself may have been derived from the Old High German word "wezzal" or "wetzel", meaning "to sharpen" or "to whet." This suggests that the name might have originally been occupational, referring to someone who was a sharpener of tools or weapons.

One of the earliest known regions where the surname Whetsel or its variants appeared is in the Rhineland-Palatinate area in Germany. It was a common practice during medieval times for people to take on surnames that reflected their occupations, places of origin, or physical characteristics. Given the occupational link, it is plausible that individuals or families involved in tool sharpening were among the first to bear the name.

Historical records, such as parish registers and local administrative documents from the 14th and 15th centuries, provide some of the earliest instances of the surname Wetzell, which evolved into various forms, including Whetsel. One of the earliest known individuals with a variant of the surname is Hans Wetzell, a blacksmith, recorded in documents from Mainz around 1423.

As we move through history, the name began to spread, especially during the period of significant European migration to the Americas in the 17th and 18th centuries. One notable figure is Johann Peter Whetsel, born in 1690 in the Palatinate region, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1717. His migration helped establish the surname in the United States, and he is considered a progenitor of many American Whetsels.

Another significant individual is Adam Whetsel, born in 1750, who served as a soldier during the American Revolutionary War. His contributions to the founding of the United States were documented in various military records from the period, highlighting the name's early presence and integration into American society.

Moving into the 19th century, another prominent figure carrying the surname was Thomas Whetsel, born in 1803 in Virginia. Thomas was a noted farmer and community leader whose family records contribute to understanding the spread and establishment of the surname in rural parts of America during the early 1800s.

In academic circles, Dr. Walter Whetsel, born in 1882, became a notable name in the field of medicine. He was a pioneering physician whose medical research and practices were ahead of his time, leaving a lasting impact on medical practices in the Midwest.

Finally, the 20th century saw figures such as Robert Whetsel, born in 1910, who made significant contributions to engineering and technological advancements in the United States, particularly during World War II. His work in improving industrial machinery and processes marked him as a notable figure in his field.

Throughout its history, the surname Whetsel has evolved from its Germanic occupational roots to become a name carried by individuals who have made significant impacts in various fields, from military service and medicine to engineering and community leadership. The surname's journey from medieval Germany to contemporary recognition demonstrates a rich and diverse heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whetsel

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

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

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

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