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

Wijas, 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 Wijas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wijas in America

Wijas is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wijas surname appeared 112 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 Wijas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wijas 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 Wijas

The surname Wijas is believed to have its origins in Poland, emerging during the medieval period. The name is thought to be regional, primarily associated with areas in present-day southern Poland, including Lesser Poland and Silesia. It likely derives from an old Slavic term or might have Germanic influences due to the historical interactions between these regions. Quite possibly, the name stems from an occupational or descriptive word in Old Polish.

Historical references to the surname Wijas can be found in various medieval municipal records and legal documents, indicating the presence of families bearing this name. Although it is not commonly found in widely known manuscripts such as the Domesday Book, which pertains to England, the surname likely appeared in regional chronicles and land records within Poland.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Wijas dates back to the 15th century. A Jan Wijas is mentioned in documents from Kraków in 1465, found in civic and church records of the time, suggesting that the family may have been involved in local trade or administration. Another early instance is related to Piotr Wijas, a minor nobleman whose name appears in various 16th-century court records concerning land disputes in Lesser Poland.

In the 17th century, the name reappears with Michał Wijas, a soldier in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, who fought in the wars against the Ottoman Empire and served with distinction. His achievements in battle are documented in military archives, dating around 1683, likely involved in the Battle of Vienna.

In more recent historical context, Józef Wijas, born in 1865 and died in 1923, was an influential figure in the independence movement in Poland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was known for his participation in several uprisings against foreign rule and for his efforts in organizing local militia units.

Another significant individual was Maria Wijas, born in 1892, who was known for her contributions to Polish literature and poetry. Her works, which addressed themes of national identity and social justice, were well-regarded during the interwar period.

Lastly, one modern example worth mentioning is Adam Wijas, a prominent figure in the Polish political scene during the 1980s. Born in 1950, he played a critical role in the Solidarity movement, advocating for democratic reforms and workers' rights. His involvement in the anti-communist activities had lasting impacts on Poland's transition to democracy.

The surname Wijas, while relatively infrequent, holds a rich historical background that reflects the varied and tumultuous history of the regions it is associated with. The individuals bearing this name have contributed significantly to their communities and the broader tapestry of Polish history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wijas

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

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

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

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