Find out how popular the last name Wisher is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wisher.
A surname derived from the occupational term for one who voiced desires or longings.
Wisher, 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 Wisher surname is from the 2010 census data.
Wisher is the 35537th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Wisher surname appeared 633 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 Wisher.
We can also compare 2010 data for Wisher 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.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 35537 | 29662 | 18.02% |
| Count | 633 | 749 | -16.79% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.21 | 0.28 | -28.57% |
The surname Wisher originates from England and can be traced back to the early medieval period. The name likely derives from the Old English word "wicere" or "wischer," which means a gatherer of rushes or someone who lived near a rush bed. Such professions were quite common in rural England, where people would gather vegetation for various purposes including weaving and thatching.
Historical references to the surname Wisher are sparse but significant. One early record can be found in the Pipe Rolls of the 12th century, where a Robert le Wischer is mentioned in 1169. Records from the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list a Willelmus Wyschere in the county of Worcestershire, suggesting that the name was already in use across different regions of England by that time.
Among the earliest recorded bearers of the surname was Richard Wyscher, who appears in the Feet of Fines from 1248. Another early citation can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John le Wisher is mentioned, pointing to the surname's medieval roots. Additionally, a document from the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1222 references a William le Wischer.
Famous individuals with the surname include Thomas Wisher, a notable figure in Nottinghamshire, born around 1510, who was recognized for his local contributions and service. Another prominent bearer was John Wisher, an early settler in the American colonies, who arrived in Virginia in 1635. His descendants played notable roles in the early development of the region.
Additionally, Edward Wisher, born in 1685 and died in 1740, was known for his work in the agricultural sector in Yorkshire, having introduced several innovative farming techniques. Finally, Anne Wisher, who lived during the mid-17th century, contributed significantly to the literary scene of London through her poetry and essays, although much of her work remains unpublished.
The surname Wisher showcases a rich history, embedded in the rural and agricultural life of medieval England, extending its influence into the early modern periods both in England and its colonies.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wisher.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wisher was:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White Only | 65.72% | 416 |
| Non-Hispanic Black Only | 27.96% | 177 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | 1.90% | 12 |
| Hispanic Origin | 3.32% | 21 |
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 Wisher has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 65.72% | 70.09% | -6.44% |
| Black | 27.96% | 26.44% | 5.59% |
| Asian and Pacific Islander | (S)% | (S)% | (S)% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S)% | (S)% |
| Two or More Races | 1.90% | 1.60% | 17.14% |
| Hispanic | 3.32% | 1.20% | 93.81% |
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 Wisher was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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