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

Willner, 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 Willner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Willner in America

Willner is the 17775th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Willner surname appeared 1,576 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Willner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Willner 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 Willner

The surname Willner finds its origins predominantly in German-speaking countries, particularly within the regions of Germany and Austria. The name is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, a period roughly encompassing the 5th to the late 15th century. It is derived from the German occupational surname tradition, where surnames often described the profession, occupation, or social status of the individual or their ancestors.

Willner is thought to have originated from the German word "Wille," meaning “will” or “desire,” combined with the suffix "ner," which suggests a person associated with a particular task or occupation. This amalgamation points to someone whose profession might have been linked to executing the will or desires of others, potentially serving as an intermediary or representative.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced to regional records and legal documents in medieval Germany. Variants of the name began appearing in documents in the 13th and 14th centuries, with spellings such as Willener or Wilner. Notably, a medieval document from the town of Mainz references a Heinrich Willner in the year 1357, indicating the name's presence in that area during that time.

One notable individual bearing the surname Willner was Johann Willner, a prominent figure in the 16th century, born around 1512 and died in 1580. He was recognized for his role as a local magistrate in Nuremberg, showcasing the name's association with positions of authority and community standing. Additionally, the name appears in 17th-century records, with a notable mention of Friedrich Willner, born in 1625, who served as a town clerk in Heidelberg.

A significant historical bearer of the name was Carl Willner, born in 1835 and known for his contributions to agricultural science in Austria. His works and innovations in farming techniques had a lasting impact on agricultural practices in the region. Another prominent figure was Max Willner, born in 1881, an influential composer and musician whose works gained recognition in the early 20th century.

The surname also appears in academic circles with Eduard Willner, a noted 19th-century historian born in 1852. His research and writings on medieval European history contributed extensively to the understanding of that era. By the 20th century, the name continued to gain recognition with figures such as Robert Willner, a distinguished biochemist born in 1930, known for his groundbreaking research in cellular biology.

The history of the surname Willner demonstrates a rich tapestry of occupational and regional significance, with a notable presence in historical records and various prominent individuals contributing to different fields across several centuries. The surname reflects a lineage deeply integrated into the societal and professional structures of its time, continuing to hold historical and cultural value.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Willner

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

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

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

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