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

Wilcoxon, 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 Wilcoxon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilcoxon in America

Wilcoxon is the 22963rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilcoxon surname appeared 1,114 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 Wilcoxon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilcoxon 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 Wilcoxon

The surname Wilcoxon has its origins in England, traced back to medieval times, specifically around the 12th or 13th century. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of an ancestor, typically the father. The name Wilcoxon means "son of Wilcox," where Wilcox itself is a diminutive form of the name William. William was introduced to England by the Normans following the Conquest of 1066 and was an immensely popular given name, derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (desire or will) and "helm" (helmet or protection).

Wilcoxon originated in areas of England such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Yorkshire, where the given name William was common among the population. The suffix "son" is a traditional English patronymic indicator, meaning "son of." Over time, variations in spelling occurred due to inconsistent literacy levels and the phonetic spelling practices of the time. Early forms of the surname included Wilcoxone and Wilcoxson.

Historical references to the surname can be found in various manuscripts and records from the medieval period. One of the earliest known records appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a John Wilcox is mentioned. This demonstrates the presence and establishment of the name several centuries ago. As writing became formalized, the spellings standardized into versions we recognize today, such as Wilcoxon.

A notable figure bearing the surname Wilcoxon is Leicester Wilcoxon, born in the 17th century in England. Another distinguished individual was Charles Wilcoxon, an influential English clergyman in the 18th century. Their prominence in their areas contributed to the endurance and recognition of the name.

Moving to the 19th century, Henry Wilcoxon, born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1831, was an American industrialist known for his pioneering work in the steel industry. This showcases the movement and establishment of the Wilcoxon surname beyond England as bearers of the name emigrated.

Another prominent individual was Henry Wilcoxon, the British actor born on September 8, 1905. His successful career in Hollywood spanning several decades brought the surname into the limelight on the international stage. Wilcoxon achieved considerable fame for his roles in films such as Cleopatra (1934) and his collaboration with director Cecil B. DeMille.

Reverend James Wilcoxon, born in 1854 in Ohio, USA, was another notable bearer of the surname. His contributions as a community leader and spiritual guide were significant in his locality, marking the continuation of the Wilcoxon name's association with respected and notable individuals.

These historical references and notable individuals illustrate the longevity, transformation, and global spread of the Wilcoxon surname. Its roots in medieval England as a son of Wilcox evolved through centuries and across continents, retaining its aural similarities and revealing the rich tapestry of family lineage and history associated with the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilcoxon

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

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

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

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