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

Wiebenga, 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 Wiebenga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiebenga in America

Wiebenga is the 61585th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiebenga surname appeared 326 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 Wiebenga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wiebenga 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 Wiebenga

The surname Wiebenga has its origins in the Netherlands, specifically within the Northern provinces such as Friesland and Groningen. It is believed that the surname dates back to the medieval period, roughly between the 13th and 15th centuries. The name is of Frisian origin, a language and ethnic group that is native to this region and has a rich historical and cultural background.

Etymologically, the name Wiebenga likely derives from the Old Frisian personal name Wiebe, which was a common given name in the region. The suffix -nga or -enga is a traditional Frisian suffix indicating "descendant of" or "belonging to." Therefore, Wiebenga would historically mean "the descendants of Wiebe." These types of patronymic surnames were prevalent in Friesland as they helped identify lineage and family connections.

Historical references to the surname Wiebenga can be traced back to various local records and manuscripts. One notable early record appears in the 16th century registers of the city of Groningen, which often documented names for civic and legal purposes. The spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent over the centuries, denoting its strength and continuity within the Frisian culture.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Jelle Wiebenga, who appears in mid-17th-century tax records from the Friesland region. His family was known for owning and operating farmlands, a common occupation in the area during that time. It showcases how the name was associated with stable and land-owning families, contributing to its long-standing presence in local records.

Throughout history, the name Wiebenga has been borne by several notable individuals. One such person is Gerben Wiebenga, born in 1821, a prominent figure in the Dutch Reformed Church who worked to spread religious education across rural Friesland. His contributions to the community were well-documented in church annals.

Another individual of historical significance is Jan Wiebenga, born in 1886 and died in 1970. He was an influential architect and engineer who played a key role in the development of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement within the Netherlands, emphasizing functional and modernist design in buildings across the country.

Furthermore, Johannes Wiebenga, born in 1902, was a well-respected physician who contributed extensively to early 20th-century medical practices in Groningen. His research and publications in the field of general medicine were widely recognized, influencing modern practices still in use today.

Hendrik Wiebenga, who lived in the early 18th century, was another notable figure. He was a merchant and shipowner who facilitated trade between the Dutch provinces and neighboring countries. His business acumen and successful ventures were recorded in several mercantile logs of that era, illustrating the entrepreneurial spirit associated with the Wiebenga name.

Finally, Tjitske Wiebenga, born in 1929, was a celebrated artist known for her distinctive style and contribution to the Dutch artistic community. Her works are often displayed in museums and galleries, highlighting the cultural legacy carried by the Wiebenga surname.

The Wiebenga surname reflects a rich historical and cultural heritage rooted in the Frisian regions of the Netherlands. The name's continuity over centuries and its association with various notable individuals from different walks of life underline its importance in Dutch history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiebenga

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

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

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

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