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

Wiginton, 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 Wiginton surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiginton in America

Wiginton is the 22543rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiginton surname appeared 1,140 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 Wiginton.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wiginton 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 Wiginton

The surname Wiginton has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be locational, derived from the place name Wigginton, found in several counties including Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, and Yorkshire. The name is composed of the Old English elements "wicga" meaning insect or beetle, and "tun" meaning settlement or enclosure, essentially translating to 'the settlement frequented by insects or beetles'.

Early records of the surname Wiginton appear in ancient documents. For instance, the name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wichentone in Oxfordshire. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were likely inhabitants of villages by this name who took the village name as their surname as was common practice after the Norman Conquest.

One of the earliest recorded examples of this surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, mentioning a Richard de Wigginton in Oxfordshire. This suggests that the name was in use for several centuries and had started to spread beyond its point of origin.

Historical references include the mention of John Wigginton, an English Puritan clergyman born around 1549 who became known for his nonconformist religious views. He faced significant opposition and persecution for his beliefs, reflecting the turbulent religious landscape of Elizabethan England.

In literature, records note a Thomas Wiginton from Staffordshire, who in the 16th century was involved in local land disputes, illustrating the name's association with various regional histories.

During the 17th century, Samuel Wiginton appears as a landowner in Warwickshire. His transactions and associated legal documents provide insight into the family's socio-economic status during this period.

The 19th century marks the presence of a Joseph Wiginton, born in 1820, who emigrated to the United States. This migration highlights a period when many English families sought new opportunities abroad, influencing the spread of the surname across the Atlantic.

Overall, the surname Wiginton has evolved significantly through its centuries-long history, marked by its early roots in England, appearance in key historical documents, and spread both locally and internationally. The name's endurance suggests a rich tapestry of social and economic shifts experienced by its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiginton

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

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

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

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