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

Wiig, 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 Wiig surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiig in America

Wiig is the 87335th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiig surname appeared 213 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 Wiig.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wiig 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 Wiig

The surname Wiig has its origins in Scandinavia, particularly in Norway. Derived from the Old Norse word "vík," meaning "bay" or "inlet," the surname likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a small bay or coastal area. Norway's rugged coastal landscape, dotted with numerous fjords and inlets, offered many such locales, making the name regionally significant.

One of the earliest references to the surname can be found in medieval Scandinavian records. The name Wiig appeared in ancient Norwegian manuscripts from the 14th century, illustrating its presence within the storied annals of Norse seafaring communities. Additionally, the name can be connected with similar Old Norse words like "víkr," giving evidence of its descriptive nature connected to landscape features.

Historical records from the parish registers in Norway during the 1600s list several instances of the surname Wiig. For example, a notable individual named Ole Wiig was born in 1623 and resided in Rogaland, a prominent region on the southwestern coast of Norway known for its significant number of small bays and inlets. This indicates the geographic concentration of the surname in coastal areas.

In the 18th century, the name saw further prominence with individuals like Lars Norby Wiig, born in 1776, who became a well-known figure in his local community in Vestfold, another coastal region famed for its maritime traditions. These individuals often held occupations tied to the sea, such as fishermen, merchants, or shipbuilders, further cementing the surname's association with seafaring life.

The 19th century saw the rise of more prominent figures bearing the surname, such as Jacob Wiig, born in 1825, who became an influential politician and public figure in Norway. His contributions to local governance and community development were well-documented in the annals of Norwegian political history. Another individual, Hans Christian Wiig, born in 1850, was an educator and author, contributing significantly to the literary landscape of Norway.

Perhaps one of the more internationally recognized bearers of the surname is Kjell Wiig, born in 1931, who achieved prominence as a journalist and a television host, helping to bring Norwegian culture to a broader audience. His career spanned several decades and made a significant impact on Norwegian media.

In conclusion, the surname Wiig is steeped in the maritime heritage of Norway, reflecting the country's deeply ingrained coastal culture. With its origins tied to the Norse word for bay or inlet, the name has been borne by various influential figures throughout history, each contributing to their local communities and beyond. From medieval records to modern media, the surname Wiig remains a testament to Norway's enduring connection to the sea.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiig

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

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

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

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