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

Wilshire, 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 Wilshire surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilshire in America

Wilshire is the 30665th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilshire surname appeared 760 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 Wilshire.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilshire 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 Wilshire

The surname Wilshire originates from England and is closely connected to the historic county of Wiltshire in South West England. The name is primarily toponymic, derived from the place itself, indicating that the bearer of the surname came from or was associated with Wiltshire. The earliest known records of the name can be traced back to the medieval period, specifically around the 11th century, when surnames started becoming hereditary.

Wiltshire, also known as Wiltonshire historically, derives its name from the ancient town of Wilton. The name Wilton is believed to stem from the Old English words "wilig," meaning willow, and "tun," which means settlement or enclosure. Hence, Wilton could be interpreted as the settlement by the willows. Consequently, Wilshire is an evolution of this place name, meaning someone from Wilton or Wiltshire.

The Domesday Book of 1086, a great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror, does not directly list the surname Wilshire; however, it extensively mentions Wilton and the broader Wiltshire region, highlighting the origin's prominence from an early date. The transition from the place name Wiltshire to the surname Wilshire likely occurred as people began to be identified based on their geographic origins during the feudal system.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Wilshire can be found in the 13th century when a Richard de Wilshire was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1276. This indicates the use of the surname well outside the borders of Wiltshire, showing the spread of people and their names from the county.

Throughout history, several notable individuals bore the surname Wilshire. John Wilshire (1771–1840) was a renowned British administrator in Tahiti and played a significant role in helping the Pomare dynasty. William Wilshire (1807–1880), another prominent figure, was an Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. His prominence in the legal and political spheres contributed to the recognition of the surname in Australian history.

In the realm of literature and publishing, William Wilshire, born in the late 18th century, became known for his contributions to the world of bookselling and publishing in London during the early 19th century. His endeavors helped shape the literary culture of his time, leaving a lasting legacy linked to the Wilshire name.

The surname also appeared in the arts, with Edward Wilshire (1871–1936) being a significant English landscape painter whose works captured the pastoral beauty of the English countryside. His artistic contributions have been celebrated in various galleries across the United Kingdom, further cementing the historical relevance of the surname.

The presence of the surname Wilshire in historical records showcases the geographical and cultural heritage associated with Wiltshire, its evolution through medieval England, and its lasting impact through notable figures in various fields. The name's etymology reflects a deep connection to the English landscape, particularly the region of Wiltshire, signifying roots that can be traced back centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilshire

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

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

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

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