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

Wimpy, 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 Wimpy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wimpy in America

Wimpy is the 53072nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wimpy surname appeared 390 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 Wimpy.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wimpy 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 Wimpy

The surname Wimpy is believed to have its origins in England, tracing back to the Middle Ages. Its etymology might be linked to the Old English byname 'Wimpe,' derived from "wymp," which means to 'flinch' or 'shrink.' This could potentially describe the original bearer’s character or physical mannerisms. Another plausible origin is from the Old English word "wimpel," referring to a type of ceremonial head-dress, leading to a surname that might have denoted a person who made or wore such items.

Wimpy appears in historical documents dating back to medieval England. One early record shows a John Wimpe mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Cumberland in 1246. This record suggests the name had already been established by this period and used by common folk. During these times, surnames were often descriptive or occupational, bolstering the idea that the surname Wimpy might come from a personal characteristic or occupation.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname was William Wimpy, born around 1310. He is recorded in historical charters relating to land transactions in Norfolk. Another significant person was Robert Wimpy, who appeared in the tax subsidies of Essex in 1327. These records highlight the geographical spread and usage of the surname in different regions of England during the 14th century.

Richard Wimpy, born in 1475, featured prominently in the Hastings Court Rolls in the late 15th century. This demographic expansion indicates the surname had multiple bearers, suggesting a presence in varying social strata from landowners to common laborers. His role as a minor official in Sussex brought the name into local prominence.

By the 16th century, the surname had reached more rural regions, with Geoffrey Wimpy, a notable tenant farmer in Yorkshire, born in 1532. He is listed in manorial records that detail agricultural holdings and tenancies. The spread of the surname to more agrarian settings points to the societal mobility of the Wimpy family over several generations.

In the 18th century, one of the more illustrious bearers was George Wimpy, an accomplished blacksmith born in 1704 in Cornwall. His skill in metalwork won him commissions from local gentry, gaining the surname a certain local prestige. The surname Wimpy, thus firmly rooted in English soil, offers a rich tapestry of historical references and insights into the familial roles and societal contributions over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wimpy

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

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

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

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