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

Wigglesworth, 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 Wigglesworth surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wigglesworth in America

Wigglesworth is the 26887th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wigglesworth surname appeared 903 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 Wigglesworth.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wigglesworth 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 Wigglesworth

The surname Wigglesworth originates from England and has its roots in the medieval period. It is a toponymic surname, derived from a place name, and reflects the geographical and social conditions of its bearers. The village of Wigglesworth in North Yorkshire is the primary source of the surname, with its earliest mentions dating back to historical records in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as Winchelesworde.

The name Wigglesworth is believed to be derived from Old English elements. "Wicel" or possibly "Wicga," an Old English personal name, combined with "worth," meaning en enclosure or a homestead, suggests that Wigglesworth may have originally meant "Wicel’s enclosure" or "Wicga’s farmstead." The settlement with this name in North Yorkshire would eventually lend its name to the families living there, thus becoming a surname.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Wigglesworth as a surname appears in the 13th century. Historical documents, like the Yorkshire Subsidy Rolls, mention a Richard de Wigglesworth in the year 1297. Such records indicate the spread and establishment of the surname beyond its initial locality over time, affirming its relation to the place of origin.

Throughout history, numerous notable individuals have borne the Wigglesworth surname. John Wigglesworth, born around 1565, is a significant figure known for his association with Puritanical movements in England before eventually migrating to the New World. Another key figure is Michael Wigglesworth (1631-1705), a colonial American clergyman and poet, famously known for his work, "The Day of Doom," which was one of America's first bestsellers.

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Sir Edward Wigglesworth (1693-1765) made his mark as a theologian and the first Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard College. He played a pivotal role in shaping early American religious education. The industrial era saw figures like William Wigglesworth (1789-1858), a notable British inventor who contributed to developments in textile machinery.

In the 20th century, Henry Wigglesworth gained recognition for his efforts in British social reform and public service, significantly influencing policies during his tenure. The enduring legacy of the Wigglesworth name reflects a fascinating journey from a small village name in North Yorkshire to notable contributions in various fields over centuries.

Thus, the surname Wigglesworth has an illustrious and well-documented history, marked by its geographical origins, linguistic roots, and the noteworthy individuals who have carried the name through the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wigglesworth

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

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

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

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