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

Wickes, 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 Wickes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wickes in America

Wickes is the 29502nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wickes surname appeared 800 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 Wickes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wickes 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 Wickes

The surname Wickes has its origins in England, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is primarily topographical, derived from the Old English word "wic," which referred to an outlying settlement or dairy farm. It was used to describe someone who lived near such a place. The term appears in various forms, such as "wicce," and "wic," in Old English manuscripts.

Geographically, the name Wickes was associated with regions in southern and eastern England, particularly in counties like Essex and Suffolk. The variants of the surname include Wick, Wicks, Wykes, and Wyke. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a place called "Wica" is mentioned, emphasizing its Saxon roots.

Historical references to the Wickes surname appear in medieval tax rolls and legal documents. For example, a Reginald le Wyke is listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Another instance includes a John atte Wyke registered in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1327. These early records confirm the name’s usage and its association with particular localities.

One notable individual with the surname Wickes is Thomas Wickes, born in the late 16th century. He was known for his contributions to local government in Essex, holding several civic offices. During this period, the variation in spelling depended significantly on the local dialect and the recorder's interpretation, leading to multiple forms of the surname in historical documents.

John Wickes, born around 1609 and died in 1676, is another significant figure. He emigrated from England to America, settling in Rhode Island, and became one of the founding fathers of Warwick, Rhode Island. His contributions to the early establishment of the American colonies are well-documented, contributing to the spread of the surname in the New World.

The 18th century saw figures like Thomas Wickes, born in 1707, who served as a reverend in New York. His work within the church and community had lasting impacts on the region's religious landscape. His correspondence and recorded sermons provide a glimpse into the etymological significance and social impact of the surname during this era.

In the 19th century, Charles Wickes, born in 1830, emerged as an influential figure in British architectural history. His designs and buildings remain part of England’s architectural heritage, illustrating the family's continued prominence through the centuries.

Lastly, Hinton Rowan Helper Wickes, born in 1829, was an American critic of slavery and an important literary figure of the 19th century. His work "The Impending Crisis of the South" had significant historical implications and underscored the surname's presence in significant historical events.

The Wickes surname thus provides an extensive historical and geographical narrative, evolving from its Old English origins to its establishment in both England and America, with notable figures who have left their mark on history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wickes

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

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

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

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