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

Wilridge, 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 Wilridge surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilridge in America

Wilridge is the 49087th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilridge surname appeared 429 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 Wilridge.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilridge 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 Wilridge

Wilridge is a surname that has its origins in England. It is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is thought to be derived from a combination of Old English elements, suggesting a possible meaning connected to a geographical feature. The first part of the name, "Wil," could be linked to the Old English word "welig," meaning "willow," while the latter part, "ridge," comes from the Old English "hrycg," meaning "ridge" or "crest of a hill." This hints at a place associated with willow trees on a ridge or hill.

The earliest documented occurrences of the surname Wilridge can be traced back to historical records from parts of southern England. One of the earliest mentions appears in parish registers from the 16th century in the county of Hampshire. The name was often found in rural areas, indicative of a family tied to agricultural activities or living in a prominent location characterized by the landscape it describes.

During the reign of Elizabeth I, a notable bearer of the surname was John Wilridge, born in 1556 and recorded in tax records of the time. His family were minor landowners who dealt primarily in farming. By the 17th century, the Wilridge name appeared in various legal documents, including deeds and wills, further helping to trace its lineage and presence in southern England.

Another historical figure was Thomas Wilridge, born in 1623 in Somerset. He gained local prominence as a land surveyor, contributing to the mapping and development of local estates. His works were often referenced in subsequent legal disputes regarding land boundaries, underscoring his importance in regional history.

In the 18th century, the name appears in military records, with Captain Richard Wilridge, who served in the British Army during the Seven Years' War. Born in 1725, Richard's military career saw him stationed in various colonies, reflecting the expanding influence and reach of the British Empire during that period.

The name also made its way into ecclesiastical records, with Reverend Samuel Wilridge, a clergyman born in 1765. He served various parishes in the Diocese of Canterbury, where his sermons and community engagements were well documented. His contributions to religious life illustrate the diverse roles individuals with the Wilridge surname played in society.

By the 19th century, the Wilridge surname had gained a wider distribution, with instances appearing in migration records to the Americas and the British colonies. One of the prominent migrants was Edward Wilridge, born in 1812, who emigrated to the United States and settled in the burgeoning city of New York. His lineage can be traced through various business directories where he is listed as a merchant and importer, contributing to the commercial expansion of the era.

The Wilridge surname, while not as common as some others, demonstrates a rich historical tapestry reflective of England's evolving social and geographical landscape, with individuals making their mark in various fields over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilridge

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

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

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

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