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

Wilbourne, 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 Wilbourne surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilbourne in America

Wilbourne is the 74826th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilbourne surname appeared 258 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 Wilbourne.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilbourne 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 Wilbourne

The surname Wilbourne has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old English words "wille" meaning "will" or "desire" and "burna" meaning "stream" or "brook." This combination suggests the name originally referred to someone living by a stream, possibly one that was associated with a particular desire or dedication.

Wilbourne tends to be associated with the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in Northern England. Variations of the name, such as Wilburn and Welbourn, appeared in early records. The Domesday Book does not specifically mention Wilbourne, but similar names like Welbourn have been noted, hinting at shared origins. Manuscripts from the 12th and 13th centuries also make mention of related spellings, indicating the name's establishment during that time.

The earliest recorded use of the surname can be traced back to 1273 when a John de Wilbourn appeared in records in Yorkshire. This early recording shows the prevalence and familial ties of the surname in that region. The name gradually spread, often changing slightly in spelling, to accommodate regional dialects and phonetic variations.

Several historical figures have carried the surname Wilbourne. George Wilbourne, born in 1545 and a prominent resident of Lancashire, was known for his role in local governance. Anne Wilbourne (1624-1698) gained some recognition for her literary works in the 17th century, contributing to the cultural history of English literature. Thomas Wilbourne (1650-1720), a notable farmer and landowner, played a significant role in the agricultural development of Yorkshire during his time.

In the 18th century, the name continued to hold prominence with individuals such as Richard Wilbourne (1710-1784), who became well-known for his contributions to the field of natural sciences. This was a period when many individuals bearing the name began to migrate within the United Kingdom and, eventually, abroad, carrying their surname and its historical significance with them.

Henry Wilbourne, born in 1803, was documented as a key legal figure in Southern England, his work leaving a lasting impact on local jurisprudence. As the 19th century progressed, the surname appeared more frequently in public records, showcasing the enduring legacy of the name.

The Wilbourne surname, with its rich etymological roots and historical references, evokes the pastoral and communal aspects of medieval and early modern England. Its bearers have contributed to various fields, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilbourne

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

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

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

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