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

Wice, 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 Wice surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wice in America

Wice is the 73666th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wice surname appeared 263 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 Wice.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wice 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 Wice

The surname Wice can trace its origins back to England, specifically the Anglo-Saxon period. It is believed to have originated around the 8th to 10th centuries, primarily in areas that are now part of modern-day England. The name is derived from the Old English word "wice," which means "dweller by the wych elm tree" (a type of elm tree) or sometimes "wise." The exact meaning often depended on the specific region and usage at the time.

Wice appears in historical documents and manuscripts from the Middle Ages, which contributes to the understanding of its early presence. For instance, variations of the name were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of England completed on the orders of William the Conqueror. Records from the Domesday Book indicate places with related names such as Wich, Wyke, and Wicham, suggesting the geographical spread and the evolution of the surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wice dates back to the 12th century in a legal document mentioning Thomas Wice. This reference is believed to be from a land transaction in the county of Yorkshire, enhancing the etymological footprint of the surname in that region. Another early mention is Richard Wice, recorded in Lincolnshire during the late 13th century, documented in tax records of the era.

Throughout history, there have been noteworthy individuals with the surname Wice. One example is Sir Robert Wice, born in 1365, who became known for his participation in the Hundred Years' War and was knighted by King Henry IV. Another distinguished person is Dr. Edward Wice, a notable physician in London during the early 17th century, contributing significantly to the medical practices of his time.

In the 18th century, Joseph Wice emerged as a prominent merchant and philanthropist in Bristol. His contributions to the local community were widely recognized, and he played a key role in establishing some of the city's charitable institutions. Moving to the 19th century, Emma Wice gained recognition as a pioneering figure in women's education in England. Born in 1827, she championed the cause of women's higher education and was instrumental in founding several educational institutions for women, leaving a lasting legacy.

The migration of the Wice surname also saw it crossing the Atlantic Ocean, with Samuel Wice, born in 1843, being one of the early settlers in Canada. He played a part in the development of early Canadian settler communities, particularly in Ontario, and contributed to the local governance structures in Canada’s formative years.

By examining these historical figures and references, the surname Wice displays a rich tapestry of meaning rooted in geographic and linguistic heritage, marked by notable individuals who have left their unique mark through various periods of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wice

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

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

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

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