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

Wisecarver, 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 Wisecarver surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wisecarver in America

Wisecarver is the 26833rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wisecarver surname appeared 906 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 Wisecarver.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wisecarver 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 Wisecarver

The surname Wisecarver has roots that can be traced back to England, originating in the late medieval period. The name is believed to have been derived from a descriptive or occupational surname, where "wise" comes from the Old English word "wīs," meaning "wise" or "skilled," and "carver," which points towards the profession of carving, likely referring to a woodcarver or stonecarver. This combination would denote a highly skilled or knowledgeable craftsman.

In historical documents, the surname has been recorded in various forms, such as Wyscarver and Wisecaruer. The evolution of surname spelling was common due to variations in local dialects and the general lack of standardized spelling until relatively modern times. Records indicate that the name was prevalent in counties known for their woodworking and stonework craftsmanship, notably in regions like Yorkshire and Cornwall.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname was John Wisecarver, documented in the 1520s in Yorkshire. John was noted for his work on gothic architecture, which was flourishing at the time, making him a prominent figure in his community.

Another notable individual was Thomas Wyscarver, born in 1623 and recorded in parish records of Cornwall. Thomas was a master woodcarver whose intricate designs adorned several local churches, further solidifying the reputation of the Wisecarver surname in artisanal circles.

Moving into the 18th century, Mary Wisecarver, born in 1745 in Lancashire, emerged as a skilled sculptor. Her works were celebrated during her time, and some of her sculptures are still preserved in local museums and private collections.

In the early 19th century, Edward Wisecarver, born in 1790, became well-known in Birmingham as a metal carver. His work in crafting detailed metal ornaments for both functional and decorative purposes gained him considerable acclaim. Edward's expertise in this niche field helped perpetuate the Wisecarver legacy.

Finally, in the mid-19th century, another significant figure was William Wisecarver, born in 1835, recorded in Devon. William was recognized as an innovative carver who began combining traditional techniques with emerging industrial methods, reflecting the transition of craftsmanship through the industrial revolution.

Throughout history, the Wisecarver surname has been associated with skill, craftsmanship, and artistic prowess, with its bearers contributing significantly to various forms of carving and related arts. This rich history underscores the enduring legacy of the name and its esteemed reputation in artisanal professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wisecarver

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

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

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

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