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

Wholey, 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 Wholey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wholey in America

Wholey is the 44193rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wholey surname appeared 487 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 Wholey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wholey 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 Wholey

The surname Wholey has its origins in England, with historical roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is primarily localized in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire, areas well-known for their significant historical and genealogical records. The etymology of Wholey is believed to be topographical or locational, derived from Old English words such as "wella" meaning spring or stream, and "leah" meaning clearing or meadow. The combination of these elements suggests that Wholey may have originally referred to someone who lived near a spring in a meadow or clearing.

The earliest known references to the surname can be found in medieval manuscripts and records. For instance, the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire from 1379 list a John de Wholey, indicating the presence of the name in the region during that period. This early reference helps to establish the historical continuity of the name in northern England.

Another significant historical reference appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from the early 16th century, where a Richard Wholey is mentioned. These records were essentially tax documents, which further confirm the existence and use of the surname in a different but nearby county, demonstrating the spread of the name within northern England.

In the 17th century, a notable bearer of the surname was Thomas Wholey, born in 1625, an influential yeoman in the Yorkshire region. His name appears in various legal documents of the era, including land transactions and wills, which contribute to a clearer understanding of the socioeconomic status of the Wholey family during this time.

By the 19th century, the name Wholey had appeared in various public records, such as census records and land deeds. An interesting figure is George Wholey, born in 1798, who emigrated from Yorkshire to the United States in the early 1820s. He became a prominent figure in the burgeoning industrial scene of Pennsylvania, establishing himself as an early American entrepreneur. His descendants continued to use the surname and contributed to the local community's development.

Rebecca Wholey, born in 1874 in Lancashire, serves as another historical figure associated with the name. She was an early feminist and suffragette, actively participating in movements advocating for women's rights in England. Her involvement and activism were well-documented in newspaper articles and suffragette publications, cementing her legacy in the fight for gender equality.

The surname Wholey, with its rich history and etymological significance, has been borne by individuals who played various roles in society, ranging from medieval yeomen to early American entrepreneurs and social activists. Across centuries, the name has preserved its historical roots while adapting to different regions and communities, maintaining a particular connection to its English origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wholey

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

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

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

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