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

Wilfork, 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 Wilfork surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilfork in America

Wilfork is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilfork surname appeared 111 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 Wilfork.

The history of the last name Wilfork

The surname Wilfork is believed to have originated in England, dating back to the early medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name likely emerged in the regions of the East Midlands or Southern England, areas known for having a linguistic touchstone blending Old English and Norman influences. The etymology of Wilfork is somewhat elusive, but it is thought to derive from a combination of an Old English personal name such as Wilfric (from "wil," meaning desire or will, and "fric," meaning power or peace) with the suffix "fork," which may reference a geographical feature like a river fork or a similar land divide.

Old records show variations in the spelling of the surname, including Wylfork, Willfork, and Wilfarke. One of the earliest recorded instances appears in a 13th-century deed in Lincolnshire, where a John Wylforke is noted as a landowner. The prevalence of such records suggests the name was primarily associated with agricultural and landholding families.

In the 14th century, the name appears in the Poll Tax records for the county of Yorkshire, specifically mentioning a Thomas Wilfarke in 1379. This appearance confirms the name's spread from its point of origin to other parts of the country. Over time, the family became known for their industriousness and involvement in local civic affairs.

By the 16th century, the surname Wilfork is found in church records, with a notable entry being the baptism of Richard Willfork in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham, in 1545. This suggests the family lineage continued to maintain prominence in various towns and cities.

In the mid-18th century, a prominent figure emerges: Samuel Wilfork (1720-1785), a well-regarded merchant from Bristol. His business dealings and contributions to local philanthropic efforts made the Wilfork name synonymous with integrity and community service in the area.

The Wilfork name also made its way across the Atlantic. By the early 19th century, an Edward Wilfork (1789-1850) is recorded as an early settainer in Massachusetts, USA. His impact on local commerce and municipal development in the New England area cemented the surname's legacy in the American context.

A further noteworthy individual is Martha Wilfork (1831-1912), an early advocate for women's education and rights in Coventry. Her writings and activist efforts left a lasting imprint on the local and national movements for social reform.

Overall, the surname Wilfork encapsulates a rich tapestry of historical presence across centuries, lands, and achievements. Its bearers have contributed significantly to various facets of society, from agriculture and commerce to education and philanthropy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilfork

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

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 Wilfork 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.

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

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

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