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

Wilcots, 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 Wilcots surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilcots in America

Wilcots is the 83541st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilcots surname appeared 225 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 Wilcots.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilcots 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 Wilcots

The surname Wilcots is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name likely has Anglo-Saxon roots and was derived from a combination of elements. The prefix “Wil-” may come from the Old English personal name Wilfrid or William, which are derived from “wil” meaning desire or will, and “helm” meaning protection or helmet. The suffix “-cots” might be derived from the Old English “cot” or “cote,” meaning a small house or dwelling. This suggests that the name Wilcots could mean "Wilfrid's dwelling" or "William's dwelling."

Evidence of the name Wilcots can be traced through various historical records and documents. One early reference to a similar name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which includes various placenames and surnames with the element “cote.” Although the exact spelling Wilcots might not appear, names like Wilcote can be found, hinting at the origin and evolution of the surname over time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Wilcots appears in the 13th century, with one John de Wilcot being recorded in historical documents from 1273. This early record suggests that the name was already in use and recognized during the late medieval period. Another early mention is a Thomas Wilcots, noted in charters from the 14th century, indicating that the name was established across certain regions of England by this time.

In subsequent centuries, the name Wilcots appears sporadically in various legal and property records. Another individual of note is Richard Wilcots, born in 1502, who was recorded in land grant documents during the reign of King Henry VIII. The geographical spread of the name continued to grow, likely due to social mobility and rural-to-urban migration over the centuries.

By the 17th century, individuals with the surname Wilcots began to appear in parish records, such as marriage, birth, and death entries. One famous historical figure is Samuel Wilcots, born in 1620, who gained some recognition as a prominent landowner in Somerset during the mid-17th century. His family’s presence in the county records indicates the establishment of the surname within that region.

Another notable reference is Jane Wilcots, born in 1781, who became well-known for her charitable work in her local community in Yorkshire. Her contributions were documented in local chronicles and records from the early 19th century, showcasing the continued presence and influence of the Wilcots name in various parts of England.

Throughout history, the surname Wilcots has evolved, with variations and alternate spellings such as Wilcot and Wilcott appearing in different records. These variations highlight the fluidity of surnames and their adaptation to local linguistic and orthographic practices over time. Despite the changes and passage of centuries, the surname Wilcots retains its roots in the history and etymology of medieval England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilcots

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

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

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

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