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

Widdis, 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 Widdis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Widdis in America

Widdis is the 73464th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Widdis surname appeared 264 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 Widdis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Widdis 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 Widdis

The surname Widdis is believed to have its origins in the British Isles, particularly in England. The time period from which Widdis appears to originate dates back to the medieval era, likely around the 12th or 13th century. This surname can be traced to specific regions within England, including parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire where similar surnames were prevalent. The name Widdis could derive from an Old English or Old Norse origin due to the influence of various cultures that settled in the British Isles over centuries, including the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings.

The surname Widdis may be connected to old words or linguistic roots that have been somewhat lost over time. A plausible derivation could be from places named with features of the countryside, such as woods or waters. Historical records indicate that variations in spelling were common in medieval documents due to phonetic spelling. Therefore, Widdis has been found written as Widdiss, Wydis, Widis, among others in various historical records, indicating the fluid nature of surname spellings in that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname appears in the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire in 1379, listing a John Wydis. This record marks an official documentation of the surname, suggesting some degree of social or economic stability for the family. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not include Widdis, indicating that the name likely emerged or evolved later than the initial Norman survey.

Historical manuscripts and parish records from the 15th and 16th centuries offer more examples of the surname Widdis. Elizabeth Widdis, born in 1490, appears in the baptism records of a parish in Lancashire. Another significant instance is the will of Thomas Widdis, dated 1598, found in a probate record in York, which provides insight into the distribution of family wealth and estates.

The name also appears in maritime records; Captain William Widdis, born in 1623, is noted for his service in the English Royal Navy during the mid-17th century. His career contributed to the reputation of the Widdis surname beyond its local regions, enhancing its historical footprint.

Mary Widdis, born in 1685, is another notable figure. She became known in local historical accounts for her philanthropic work in the early 18th century, particularly in setting up educational institutions in Northern England. Documents from the period highlight her contributions and the standing of the Widdis family in the community.

The 19th century introduces James Widdis, born in 1810, who emigrated to America during the wave of British migration. He established himself in New York, where he became a successful merchant. His letters and business records provide a detailed account of the challenges and successes he faced, bringing a personal narrative to the history of the Widdis surname.

Through these various historical references, the surname Widdis presents a tapestry of English heritage, marked by regional ties, evolving spellings, and notable individuals who contributed to their communities over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Widdis

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

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

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

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