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

Wichman, 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 Wichman surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wichman in America

Wichman is the 19229th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wichman surname appeared 1,411 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 Wichman.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wichman 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 Wichman

The surname Wichman has its origins in the Germanic-speaking regions of Europe, notably Germany. Emerging in the early Middle Ages, the name Wichman is believed to derive from the Old High German elements "wic" meaning "battle" or "war," and "man" meaning "man." As such, the name essentially means "battle man" or "warrior."

The early appearances of the name Wichman can be traced back to the 8th and 9th centuries. Historical records reveal that the Wichmann family was part of the Saxon nobility, playing significant roles in regional conflicts and politics. One of the earliest notable figures bearing the surname was Wichmann the Elder, a Saxon count who lived in the 10th century. He was born around 900 and died in 944, making notable contributions to the historical narratives of the Saxon Wars.

Another prominent figure is Wichmann the Younger, also a 10th-century nobleman, born around 930 and known from historical texts until his death around 973. He was involved in various conflicts against Emperor Otto I and his brother Hermann Billung. The Wichmanns during this period were influential in the power dynamics of the Holy Roman Empire and often mentioned in chronicles and charters.

In manuscripts and records of the 12th and 13th centuries, the name Wichman appears in various forms such as Wichmannus and Wicmannus. These documents include land grants, legal documents, and ecclesiastical records. The chronicles of Abbeys and the annals of the Holy Roman Empire frequently mentioned the Wichmann family, attesting to their enduring legacy.

By the 14th and 15th centuries, the surname Wichman began to spread to other regions, including parts of what are now the Netherlands and Belgium. This dissemination often resulted in slight variations in the spelling of the name, reflecting local dialectical influences. Different branches of the Wichman family established themselves in various parts of Europe, continuing to hold positions of influence and power.

Among the famous Wichmans of later centuries was Johann Wichman, a notable German humanist and educator born in 1495 and dying in 1563. Johann contributed significantly to the educational reforms of the Reformation era, leaving a lasting impact on the academic landscape of his time.

In conclusion, the Wichman surname is deeply rooted in the Germanic noble lineage, with its origins in warrior societies. Throughout history, it has been borne by individuals who played pivotal roles in regional and political developments, contributing to the rich tapestry of European history. Each notable Wichman over the centuries has added to the historical and cultural significance of this distinguished surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wichman

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

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

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

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