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

Wimple, 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 Wimple surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wimple in America

Wimple is the 130610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wimple surname appeared 130 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 Wimple.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wimple 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 Wimple

The surname Wimple finds its origins in England during the medieval period. It is believed to have originated around the 12th century, primarily in the West Country of England, with Devon being one of the key areas. The name Wimple is derived from the Old English word "wimpel," meaning a head covering or veil, which was a common piece of attire in medieval times. This was an item typically worn by women and sometimes by men, linked to both clerical and secular wardrobes.

Historical records suggest that the surname Wimple made its first notable appearance in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. In Devon, certain landowners bore the name or a variant of it, such as Wimpleshire, indicating a relationship to small medieval settlements or manors.

One of the earliest recorded examples of a person with the surname Wimple is John Wimple, who appears in the Pipe Rolls of Devon in 1195. These rolls were financial records of lands and fees owed to the Crown, revealing John Wimple as a landholder of moderate status. Another early instance is Agnes Wimple, mentioned in the Assize Rolls of 1256, indicating her involvement in a judicial matter in the county of Somerset.

During the 14th century, Richard Wimple, born around 1320 and deceased in 1385, was noted in ecclesiastical records for his contributions to the church in Exeter, Devon. His generous donations and participation in local parish affairs suggest that the Wimple family had accrued a measure of wealth and influence in the region.

By the 16th century, the name Wimple began to spread to other parts of England. In the parish registers of London, Robert Wimple, born in 1542, appears as a merchant involved in the burgeoning trade during the Elizabethan era. His dealings in textiles and other goods made him a prominent figure in the city's economic scene until his death in 1601.

The surname saw continued representation in various facets of English society. Thomas Wimple, born in 1610 and deceased in 1672, was recorded in the Civil War documents for his service to the Royalist cause. His loyalty to King Charles I led him to fight in several battles before settling back in Devon after the war.

Ann Wimple, a notable poet and writer of the late 18th century, had an influential role in the literary circles of her time. Born in 1759 and passing away in 1820, her works often reflected the rural life of Devon and the social changes of the era. Her publications brought a degree of fame and recognition to the Wimple name in English literature.

Overall, the surname Wimple has a rich history intertwined with the social, economic, and cultural fabric of medieval and early modern England. From landholders and ecclesiastical figures to merchants and literary contributors, the Wimple name reflects a diverse legacy that spans several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wimple

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

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

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

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