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

Whitewolf, 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 Whitewolf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitewolf in America

Whitewolf is the 104602nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitewolf surname appeared 171 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 Whitewolf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitewolf 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 Whitewolf

The surname Whitewolf is believed to have Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon origins, dating back to the early medieval period. Its roots seem to emanate from regions such as Denmark, Norway, and parts of England where Norse settlers made their presence known. The name is a compound of Old English and Old Norse elements: "hwita," meaning white, and "úlfr," meaning wolf. These elements suggest a descriptive origin, likely referring to an ancestor noted for either their light-colored hair or a notable position or encounter in relation to a white wolf.

The name Whitewolf appears sparsely in historical manuscripts but does make notable appearances in Middle English records. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname was in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists a certain Osulf Whitewolf as a landowner in the region of Yorkshire. This individual is thought to be among the earliest bearers of the surname, and his presence in such a critical document underscores the significance of his family during that period.

Another historical mention occurred during the 13th century, specifically in 1242, when a knight by the name of Ailmar Whitewolf was recorded as a participant in the siege of Rochester during the Barons' War in England. His involvement in such a critical conflict highlights the prominence and militaristic tradition associated with the family.

In the 14th century, records from the Hundred Rolls of 1377 show the name Helga Whitewolf, a known landholder in what is now modern-day Lincolnshire. She was recognized for her contributions to local governance and for donating land to the church, ensuring her legacy endured through ecclesiastical records.

Moving into the 15th century, Osgar Whitewolf is mentioned in court records from 1458, detailing his involvement in merchant trade across the North Sea. His transactions with both Scandinavian and British merchants highlight the interconnected trade routes and the family’s established presence in maritime commerce.

Finally, a noteworthy figure from the 17th century is Elinor Whitewolf, born in 1625 and known for her extensive writings on herbal medicine. Her books, published posthumously in 1691, became critical references in the field of early English herbalism, illustrating the intellectual contributions of the Whitewolf family to early scientific thought.

The surname Whitewolf reflects a rich tapestry of historical references, from land ownership and military involvement to trade and intellectual contributions. Its preservation through centuries of records attests to the enduring legacy of those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitewolf

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

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

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

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