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

Wilches, 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 Wilches surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilches in America

Wilches is the 96368th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilches surname appeared 189 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 Wilches.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilches 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 Wilches

The surname Wilches has its origins in Spain. This name is believed to be derived from the medieval Spanish period, which saw a rich mingling of cultures and languages due to the Reconquista and other historical events. The surname is primarily associated with the Northern regions of Spain, such as Galicia, where it is most commonly found. Its etymological roots trace back to the Old High German word "wilja," meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm," meaning "helmet" or "protection," denoting someone who was a keen protector or guardian.

One of the earliest references to the surname Wilches appears in the records of the 15th century. During this period, surnames were gradually becoming hereditary, and documentation reveals instances of the name in local government and church records. In the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a reference to a certain Rodrigo de Wilches, a landowner, is found in the year 1467, indicating the surname's early adoption by notable families.

In historical manuscripts dating back to the 16th century, the name Wilches surfaces in various legal documents. For instance, a Juan Wilches is mentioned in a land grant dated 1592, which highlights his role as a prominent community figure in the region of Castile. Another significant bearer of the surname, María Wilches, born in 1610 and deceased in 1673, was known for her philanthropic activities, particularly her contributions to the establishment of orphanages and schools in Salamanca.

A shift in the geographical distribution of the surname occurred during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Several members of the Wilches family were among the early settlers in the New World. Pedro Wilches, born in 1545, emigrated to present-day Colombia in 1570, where he became a key figure in the establishment of colonial administration in the region of Boyacá. His descendants played significant roles in the local governance and economy, particularly in agriculture and mining.

Historical records from the 18th century reveal the presence of Antonio Wilches, a well-known soldier and explorer born in 1723. He is celebrated for his expeditions in South America, which contributed to the mapping and exploration of the Amazon Basin. The Wilches family's influence extended into the 19th century, exemplified by José Wilches, born in 1810, who was a noted scholar and writer. His works on Spanish literature and culture were pivotal in preserving the historical narratives of his time.

In summary, the surname Wilches carries a rich history originating from medieval Spain, evolving through significant historical events and geographic expansions. Notable bearers of the name have left a lasting impact on various aspects of society, from community leadership and philanthropy to exploration and scholarship.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilches

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

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

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

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