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

Wohl, 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 Wohl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wohl in America

Wohl is the 16525th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wohl surname appeared 1,738 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Wohl.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wohl 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 Wohl

The surname Wohl has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. The name first appeared in the medieval period, around the late 13th to early 14th centuries. It is believed to be derived from Middle High German words such as wol, meaning well or good, which could have served as a nickname for someone of perceived good nature or well-being. Additionally, it may relate to the adverb wohl, meaning well or comfortably.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to historical documents and manuscripts in regions like Bavaria, Saxony, and parts of Austria. These areas were known for their detailed record-keeping practices, which included tax records, property registries, and church documents. One of the earliest known records of the name Wohl appears in a Bavarian tax register from the year 1312, in which a certain Hans Wohl is listed.

Scholars have found the name in various historical references, including the well-known Regesta Imperii, a collection of medieval documents. There, the name Wohl appears in a reference dated 1367, mentioning a Johannes Wohl from the region of Lower Saxony. These early references support the notion that the name had both geographic and occupational connotations, sometimes indicating a person of reputable standing or good livelihood in the community.

The surname also appears in the form of topographical references. In the historical records of Austria, for instance, there is mention of a village named Wohl near the town of Krems, recorded in the late 14th century, suggesting that some bearers of the surname might have originated from or lived near this locale. Such place-name associations were common in medieval times.

In the subsequent centuries, bearers of the surname Wohl held various notable roles and left their marks on history. Among these individuals is Jakob Wohl, a significant figure in the 15th century who was involved in the Hanseatic League's trading networks, and contributed to the flourishing commerce of northern Europe. Another prominent historical figure was Maria Wohl, born in 1775, who became known for her work in local medicine and herbalism in the Bavarian region.

Moving into the 18th century, Christian Wohl became a celebrated theologian and writer, with numerous published works that were widely read during his time. Christian Wohl, born in 1702 and died in 1778, his influence extended to both religious circles and academic institutions. His contributions to theology and philosophy were monumental.

The 19th century saw David Wohl, an ancestral figure from a Jewish community in Hungary, who was notable for his philanthropic efforts and engagement in social causes. Born in 1830 and dying in 1905, David Wohl was respected for his endeavors to support education and welfare among Jewish populations.

In more recent history, the surname Wohl continues to be associated with influential figures such as Sol Wohl, a 20th-century economist who made significant contributions to economic theory and policy development. His groundbreaking research and publications garnered him considerable acclaim within academic and governmental circles. Sol Wohl was born in 1908 and passed away in 1987.

These historical instances highlight the diverse and rich heritage of the surname Wohl, providing a story that spans centuries and geographies, from medieval Germany to various other parts of Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wohl

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

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

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

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