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

Wiersum, 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 Wiersum surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiersum in America

Wiersum is the 75317th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiersum surname appeared 256 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 Wiersum.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wiersum 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 Wiersum

The surname Wiersum has its origins in the Netherlands, specifically in the northern provinces such as Friesland and Groningen. These areas are known for their rich history and distinct regional culture. The surname likely originated around the late medieval period, circa the 14th or 15th century. It is a patronymic surname, a common practice in Dutch naming conventions, which often involved adding a suffix to the father's name to form a new surname.

The name Wiersum appears to be derived from the given name Wier or Wyger, which were common in the region. The suffix -sum or -suma is indicative of a patronymic origin, meaning "son of Wier." Similar spellings and variations such as Wiersma and Wierssen reflect the regional dialects and the fluid nature of surname spellings in historical documents.

Historical references to the surname Wiersum can be found in various Dutch records from the 16th and 17th centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Jan Wiersum, noted in a tax record from 1563 in Friesland. These records not only solidify the surname's regional roots but also provide insight into the socio-economic status of individuals bearing the name at the time.

In the 17th century, another significant figure was Pieter Wiersum, born in 1622 in Groningen. He was a prominent farmer and played a notable role in local agricultural advancements. His contributions to farming techniques were documented in regional annals, highlighting the Wiersum family's long-standing involvement in agriculture.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Klaas Wiersum, born in 1745, also from Friesland. He became known for his contributions to maritime enterprises, particularly the burgeoning trade routes between the Dutch provinces and the rest of Europe. His naval exploits were recorded in Friesland's maritime records, cementing his legacy within the trade community.

In the 19th century, Hendrik Wiersum, born in 1821, gained recognition as a local political figure in Groningen. His involvement in municipal governance and his efforts to improve local infrastructure were well-documented. Hendrik Wiersum’s advocacy for modernizing rural communities earned him a notable place in the history of the region.

By the early 20th century, another distinguished individual, Johan Wiersum, born in 1885, emerged as an influential academic. He was known for his research in Dutch history and his extensive writings on regional culture, contributing significantly to the preservation and understanding of northern Dutch heritage.

The surname Wiersum, with its deep roots in the Netherlands' northern provinces, demonstrates a rich history intertwined with the region's development and cultural heritage. Each generation of the Wiersum family left a mark on their communities, from agriculture and trade to local governance and academia, reflecting the enduring legacy of this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiersum

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

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

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

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