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

Wiltermood, 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 Wiltermood surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiltermood in America

Wiltermood is the 101247th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiltermood surname appeared 178 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 Wiltermood.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wiltermood 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 Wiltermood

The surname Wiltermood is believed to have originated in the Anglo-Saxon regions of England during the medieval period, likely around the 12th to 14th centuries. Its etymology points to a compound of Old English elements. The first element "Wilter" could be derived from "Wiltra," implying wilful or resolute, while "Mood" is from the Old English "Mod," meaning courage or spirit. As a whole, the name could connote a person with a resolute spirit.

The earliest known references to the name Wiltermood appear in local manor rolls and parish records from the 13th century in the counties of Kent and Sussex. These areas were hubs of agrarian and small-scale trade activities during the medieval period, suggesting that the first Wiltermoods were likely yeomen or tradespeople. One of the earliest documented instances of the name is found in the Sussex Manorial Records of 1294, listing a John Wiltermood as a tenant farmer.

There is a significant mention of the name in the 14th-century poll tax records. A Richard Wiltermood appears in the 1379 poll tax records of Kent, indicating that the family had a stable presence in the region by this time. These records serve as some of the most ancient indications of the Wiltermood name's socio-economic conditions, portraying them as middle-class freehold farmers.

Another historical figure with the surname is Eleanor Wiltermood, a noted woman in the court of Henry VIII. Born in 1482 and recorded as having died in 1541, Eleanor is mentioned in various court documents including the Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII. She is thought to have been involved in the administration of estates, demonstrating an upsurge in the family’s social standing.

In the literary records of Elizabethan England, a William Wiltermood is referenced in a 1589 playbill for the Globe Theatre in London. William, born in 1556 and died in 1611, was a noted playwright and contemporary of William Shakespeare. His works, although not as famous, contributed to the rich tapestry of Elizabethan drama, indicating the spread of the name beyond its rural origins.

The Wiltermood name also appears in the colonial records of early America. In the 1623 passenger list of the ship Ann, a Thomas Wiltermood is documented as migrating to the Plymouth Colony. Thomas, born in 1601, is recognized for his agrarian endeavors and contributions to the burgeoning colony’s survival and economy. His records cease around 1650, suggesting his significant but quiet influence.

By the late 18th century, the Wiltermood surname is found in the military records of the British Army. Captain Reginald Wiltermood, born in 1743 and died in 1797, served with distinction during the American Revolutionary War. Letters and military dispatches laud his strategic expertise and dedication, painting a portrait of a man committed to his country’s service during turbulent times.

Throughout history, the Wiltermood surname has embodied characteristics of determination and resilience, evident in its etymology and the notable individuals bearing it. From medieval tenant farmers to figures in the Elizabethan cultural sphere and early American settlers, the Wiltermoods have left their imprint on the historical landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiltermood

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

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

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

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