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

Wisch, 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 Wisch surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wisch in America

Wisch is the 42937th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wisch surname appeared 504 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 Wisch.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wisch 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 Wisch

The surname Wisch can be traced back to the regions of Central Europe, specifically within the boundaries of modern-day Germany and the Netherlands. The name's origins can be linked to the medieval period, around the 12th and 13th centuries. One of the regions often associated with Wisch is Saxony, a historical area in Germany that has been influential in the patterns of migration and settlement in Europe.

The name Wisch is derived from the Middle Low German word "wisch," meaning meadow or pasture. It is likely that the surname originated as a topographic name for individuals who lived near or worked on lush, grassy lands. This association with the landscape suggests that those bearing the name were initially rural people, possibly farmers or herders, who lived close to meadows.

Historical references to the surname Wisch can be found in various medieval manuscripts and records. One known appearance of the name is in the annals of Lower Saxony, where the Wisch family held properties and social influence. Some of the earliest instances in written form include variations such as Wysch, Wysche, and Wische, reflecting the evolving nature of surname spellings in historical records.

Among the individuals bearing the surname in historical contexts is Hermann von Wisch, a notable figure who was recorded as an estate owner in the mid-15th century. Hermann von Wisch was born around 1420 and played a crucial role in local governance and land management in his region. Another significant figure is Margaretha Wisch, a prominent woman from the late 16th century known for her charitable work and involvement in religious communities in North Germany. She was born circa 1565 and became a benefactor for several local monasteries.

Further records from the 17th century show Elisabeth Wisch, born in 1602, who was known for her association with various merchant activities in Hamburg, Germany. Her influence on trade practices of the time illustrated the evolving roles of women in commerce. Wilhelm Wisch, a musician and composer born in 1768, added to the cultural legacy of the name, producing several noteworthy compositions that contributed to the rich tapestry of European classical music.

Lastly, Johann Heinrich Wisch, born in 1791, emerged as an influential academic figure, specializing in agricultural sciences. His innovative approaches to farming techniques helped transform agrarian practices during the 19th century in Germany. These contributions by various bearers of the Wisch surname highlight a diverse legacy spanning sectors from governance and charity to commerce, music, and scientific advancement.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wisch

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

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

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

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