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

Wirig, 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 Wirig surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wirig in America

Wirig is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wirig surname appeared 100 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 Wirig.

The history of the last name Wirig

The surname Wirig traces its origins to the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within modern-day Germany. The first emergence of the name is thought to be in the Rhineland-Palatinate area, dating back to the medieval period. Wirig may derive from the Middle High German word "wirg" meaning "strong" or "vigorous," reflecting the physical characteristics or the occupation of the original bearers. There are also theories that the name could be related to old regional names, intertwining with various dialects prevalent in the area during the Middle Ages.

Historical references to the surname appear in local records from the 14th and 15th centuries. One of the earliest documented instances is from a 1378 tax roll in the town of Mainz, where a Heinrich Wirig is listed as a landowner. Further references occur in church registers, particularly in areas like Trier, Koblenz, and other cities along the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The surname appears to have had variants such as Wirich or Wirik, denoting minor dialectical differences or clerical interpretations.

The Wirig family name was recorded in various historical contexts, including the 16th-century merchant records of Johann Wirig, born 1534, who was known for his trade in wines and textiles in the flourishing trade city of Cologne. Another notable figure was Margarete Wirig, born circa 1610, who was mentioned in municipal court records in Koblenz regarding a notable inheritance dispute. These instances cemented the presence of the Wirig surname in legal and commercial documents of their time, further solidifying its historical footprint.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in military records, with Captain Otto Wirig, born 1697, who served in the Prussian army during the War of Austrian Succession and left detailed diaries that provided insights into military strategies and daily life during the period. By the 19th century, the name was associated with academic pursuits, highlighted by Friedrich Wilhelm Wirig, born 1821, a prominent scholar in the field of philology who made significant contributions to the study of ancient Germanic languages.

Rounding out the historical references, in the late 19th century, Elisabeth Wirig, born 1857, emerged as a notable figure in cultural history, known for her influential work in the preservation of Rhineland folklore and oral traditions. Her writings captured the blend of historical and cultural heritage in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, bringing a deeper understanding of the local customs that influenced the Wirig name's evolution.

Throughout the centuries, the Wirig surname has proven resilient, maintaining its historical significance in various facets ranging from commerce and military to scholarship and cultural preservation. The enduring legacy of the name illustrates the rich tapestry of German history and the diverse roles played by individuals bearing the surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wirig

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

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 Wirig 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.

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

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

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