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

Wimes, 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 Wimes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wimes in America

Wimes is the 50196th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wimes surname appeared 417 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 Wimes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wimes 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 Wimes

The surname Wimes is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "wīma" or "wima," which translates to a protector or guard. This etymology suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone who worked as a guard or watchman.

Early records of the surname Wimes are sparse, but the name appears in various forms in manuscripts and clerical documents throughout the centuries. One of the earliest appearances of the surname can be traced back to the 13th century, where variations such as Wymus and Wymas are found. In certain regions, the name may have been anglicized from the Old French "Guillaume," reflecting the Norman influence on Anglo-Saxon England.

In historical records, a Wimes family is documented in the Assize Rolls conducted in the county of Warwickshire in 1272, where a certain William Wymes was mentioned. This suggests that the name was present and established in the Midlands region by this time. Another early reference can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 for the county of Buckinghamshire, where a Robert Wimes is listed as a taxpayer, indicating the presence and economic activities of the family.

The name Wimes also appears in ecclesiastical records. For instance, in the late 15th century, Thomas Wymes served as a parish clerk in Norwich, Norfolk, demonstrating the name's spread and association with clerical duties. This highlights the role of individuals with the surname in local administrations and religious institutions.

During the 16th century, John Wimes was noted as a yeoman in the county of Kent. Yeomen were typically prosperous farmers or landowners, suggesting that the Wimes family had attained a degree of socioeconomic status by this period. The appearance of the name in land records and court documents from this time further underscores the family's established presence in rural England.

Another significant figure is Anne Wimes, born in the late 17th century, who was documented as one of the early settlers in the English colonies in America. This reflects the broader migration patterns of English families during the Age of Exploration and the subsequent establishment of colonial societies.

In the 19th century, the name continued to be recorded in various parts of England and colonial regions. Reverend James Wimes, born in 1834 and died in 1902, served as a prominent religious leader in the county of Yorkshire, contributing to local advancements in education and social welfare.

The surname Wimes, through its variations and appearances in historical records, illustrates a rich tapestry of social, economic, and geographical movements. From its likely roots as an occupational nickname to its establishment within clerical and landowning circles, the Wimes surname encapsulates centuries of English history and its eventual diaspora across the Atlantic.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wimes

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

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

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

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