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

Wisely, 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 Wisely surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wisely in America

Wisely is the 25771st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wisely surname appeared 956 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 Wisely.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wisely 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 Wisely

The surname Wisely has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "wis" or "wís," which mean wise or knowledgeable, combined with the Old English suffix "-leah" or "-ly," indicating a clearing or meadow. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a person living near a "wise meadow" or an area known for being fertile or prosperous.

Records from the 12th and 13th centuries show early mentions of names resembling Wisely in various forms. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not explicitly mention Wisely, but it contains similar names that could be precursors to the surname. By the 13th century, variations like Wiseley and Wiselie started to appear in local records and tax rolls in regions such as Yorkshire and Lancashire.

An early recorded example of the surname Wisely is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a Robert de Wisely is mentioned. This suggests that the name was in use by at least the late 13th century. Over time, the name became more established, with variations such as Wysely appearing in different documents.

John Wisely, born around 1415 in Yorkshire, is one historical figure who carried this surname. The Wisely family during this period was often associated with rural and agricultural communities, reflecting the pastoral origins of the name.

In the 16th century, another notable individual bearing the surname was Thomas Wisely (c. 1520–1586), who was known for his contributions to local governance in Lancashire. As a respected figure, he held several positions in the local administration, which added some prominence to the Wisely name.

Colonial America also saw the arrival of the Wisely surname. Mary Wisely, born in 1723, was one of the early settlers in Massachusetts. Her descendants played a part in the development of the New England colonies, contributing to the spread of the Wisely name in the New World.

In the 19th century, Alexander Wisely (1835–1901) emerged as a significant figure in Scotland. He was known for his involvement in the shipbuilding industry in Glasgow, which was one of the leading centers of industrial activity at the time. Alexander's achievements further cemented the familial name's place in history.

Another memorable individual was Eliza Wisely (1849–1927), who was an early advocate for women's rights in England. Her activism and contributions to the suffrage movement brought the Wisely name into more public recognition, showing that people carrying the surname were engaged in important social and political causes.

Throughout history, the surname Wisely has been borne by various individuals who have contributed to their communities and fields. The etymology suggests a connection to wisdom and prosperity, reflecting the values and qualities associated with those who carried the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wisely

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

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

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

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