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

Witherwax, 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 Witherwax surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Witherwax in America

Witherwax is the 87335th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Witherwax surname appeared 213 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 Witherwax.

We can also compare 2010 data for Witherwax 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 Witherwax

The surname Witherwax is believed to have its origins in England during the medieval period. Evidence suggests that the name may have first emerged in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, possibly around the 13th or 14th century. The etymology of Witherwax is likely derived from Old English and Anglo-Saxon elements. The prefix "Wither" could be related to "wether," an Old English term for a castrated ram, often used in animal husbandry. The suffix "wax" might derive from "weax," an Old English term for wax, indicating either a profession associated with the production or trade of wax or perhaps a characteristic intended metaphorically.

There is historical documentation of similar names in early English records, but they are often spelled differently due to the lack of standardized spelling at the time. Variations such as Witherwaxe, Wetherwax, and Witherwacks are noted in parish registers and other medieval manuscripts. The earliest recorded instance of the name Witherwax appears in a 1380 Yorkshire tax roll, listing a John Witherwax, a yeoman farmer.

In the 15th century, Robert Witherwax, born circa 1420, became notable as a minor landowner. Historical charters from 1475 reference him regarding a land dispute in Lancashire, illustrating the mobility and influence of the family name during this period. Another significant figure was Eleanor Witherwax, born in 1508, who is mentioned in court records from 1532 in connection with a case of inheritance, suggesting that the name had established a certain degree of local prominence.

A prominent bearer of the surname in the late 16th century was William Witherwax, born in 1562, an early merchant involved in the wool trade, vital to the English economy at the time. His business ties extended from the Yorkshire Dales to the ports of London, highlighting the commercial influence the family had accrued. His records include trade agreements and shipping logs from the period between 1590 and 1605.

In the 17th century, the Witherwax name is found in American colonial records, indicating possible emigration during the early years of English colonization. Evidence shows that Thomas Witherwax, born in 1623, immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1640s. His name appears in land grants and settlement agreements around 1650, reflecting the broader migratory patterns of English families looking for new opportunities in the New World.

By the 18th century, the Witherwax surname appears in various records across the American colonies. Notably, Sarah Witherwax, born in 1702 in New York, is listed in church baptismal records, signifying the establishment of the family name in colonial America. Her descendants continued to contribute to the development of the growing nation, maintaining the legacy of the Witherwax surname across generations.

This historical overview captures the diverse and evolving journey of the surname Witherwax from its uncertain beginnings in medieval England to its transplantation and entrenchment in colonial America, illustrating the enduring nature and adaptability of the name through centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Witherwax

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

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

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

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