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

Willmore, 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 Willmore surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Willmore in America

Willmore is the 22573rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Willmore surname appeared 1,138 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 Willmore.

We can also compare 2010 data for Willmore 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 Willmore

The surname Willmore is of English origin, with records indicating its use as early as the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English personal name Wilimær, which itself originates from the elements "wil," meaning desire or will, and "mær," meaning famous or great. This would make the original meaning of the name something akin to "famous will" or "famous desire."

The earliest references to the surname Willmore can be traced back to the regions of Norfolk and Suffolk in England. The name appears in various spellings in old manuscripts and charters, often reflective of the phonetic spellings of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327, where a Peter Willimere is listed.

Historical records also show that variations of the surname were prevalent across different counties. For instance, a John Willmere is noted in the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire in 1379. These records suggest the name was fairly widespread by the 14th century, carried by individuals involved in various trades and occupations.

Throughout history, the surname Willmore has been borne by several noteworthy individuals. One such person is Thomas Willmore (1668-1738), an influential landowner in Staffordshire, whose estate documents provide crucial insights into the agricultural practices of the region during that time. Another notable figure is Richard Willmore (1532-1606), a merchant from London whose trading ventures helped expand England's commercial reach during the Elizabethan era.

Military records from the 17th and 18th centuries also highlight the presence of the surname. Lieutenant John Willmore (1742-1771), who served in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War, is remembered for his bravery during naval battles. His contributions are documented in the naval records housed at the National Archives in Kew.

In literature, the name appears sporadically, with Joshua Willmore (1765-1820), a poet from Warwickshire, being one of the early literary figures to bear the surname. His collected works, published posthumously, reflect the social and cultural milieu of early 19th-century England.

These historical references and examples provide a rich tapestry of the surname's lineage, illustrating its evolution through centuries of English history. The surname Willmore thus encapsulates a legacy of diverse contributions to English society, from landownership and commerce to military service and literary pursuits.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Willmore

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

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

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

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