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

Witherell, 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 Witherell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Witherell in America

Witherell is the 19257th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Witherell surname appeared 1,408 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 Witherell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Witherell 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 Witherell

The surname Witherell has its origins in England, likely dating back to the medieval period. It appears to derive from Old English place names and personal names that incorporate the elements "wīðer," meaning against, opposite, or resist, and "hǣle," suggesting a healthful or hero-like quality. Such names were probably used to distinguish individuals based on notable traits or from specific locales within villages.

During the Norman Conquest in 1066, many Anglo-Saxon names were recorded in various forms. Though the surname Witherell itself does not appear in the Domesday Book, which was completed in 1086, similar sounding names and elements can be traced within these records. Names including the element "wīðer" in locations such as Witheridge or Withernwick reflect the roots of surnames like Witherell that evolved over time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Witherell appears in the 13th century. A notable record from 1275 includes Johannes Witherell in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire. Over time, variations in spelling such as Wetherell, Wetherill, or Wittrall were widespread due to regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling.

One historically significant figure with the surname Witherell is Rev. William Witherell, born around 1600, who immigrated to the New World as part of the Great Migration. He became a prominent figure in the Plymouth Colony, serving as a minister and a teacher, and is often cited in genealogical records of early American families.

During the mid-18th century, another individual of note is Elder James Witherell, born in 1759. He was a distinguished soldier in the American Revolution and later served as a judge and legislator in Vermont. His contributions to his community were well-documented in local histories.

In the early 19th century, another prominent Witherell was George Witherell, born in 1801, who was known for his work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist in the industrialization of New England. His business ventures contributed significantly to regional growth during this period.

One more individual bearing this surname was Major John Witherell, whose military service and subsequent political career in the 19th century cemented his place in local histories in the Northeastern United States. His leadership during crucial periods of American history is reflected in several historical accounts.

A literary figure named Hannah Witherell emerged in the late 19th century. Born in 1869, she was known for her poetry and essays reflecting the social changes of her time. Her works provided a voice to the issues of women's rights and social reform, gaining her recognition in literary circles.

In light of its etymological roots and historical mentions, the surname Witherell carries a legacy of resilience and service, echoing through centuries from England to the United States.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Witherell

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

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

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

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