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

Wohlgemuth, 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 Wohlgemuth surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wohlgemuth in America

Wohlgemuth is the 19924th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wohlgemuth surname appeared 1,347 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 Wohlgemuth.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wohlgemuth 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 Wohlgemuth

The surname Wohlgemuth is of German origin, emerging from the regions of central Europe during the Middle Ages. The name is a composite of two Germanic words: wohl, meaning "well" or "good," and gemut, meaning "mind" or "spirit." Therefore, Wohlgemuth translates directly to "good spirit" or "well-disposed." This surname is considered descriptive, likely originally used to describe someone with a cheerful or pleasant demeanor.

The earliest regions where the surname Wohlgemuth is known to have appeared are within the German-speaking areas of what are today Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Historical documentation of the surname dates back to medieval times, although specific mentions in earlier records are sparse due to the lack of comprehensive record-keeping during those periods. The name may have been a nickname that evolved into a hereditary surname over time.

The surname Wohlgemuth appears in some historical records, indicating its presence among various Germanic communities. One of the older instances is found in a 14th-century manuscript from Bavaria, which lists a Henricus Wohlgemut as a prominent local merchant. This reference sheds light on the socio-economic status of people bearing the surname during that era.

A notable early example is Hans Wohlgemut (circa 1500–1570), a well-regarded craftsman and trader in Nuremberg. Records from Nuremberg, a vibrant Renaissance city, indicate that Hans was engaged in the city's thriving trade guilds, dealing in both manufactured goods and raw materials.

In the 1600s, the Thirty Years' War ravaged much of the Holy Roman Empire. During this period, records from the city of Cologne mention a soldier named Andreas Wohlgemuth, born in 1603, who served as a captain in the city's defense forces. His presence in military records provides insight into the various roles individuals with this surname occupied during times of conflict.

An 18th-century mention of the surname Wohlgemuth includes Johann David Wohlgemuth (1724–1791), a theologian and philosopher in Saxony. His written works contributed significantly to the religious discourse of the period, and his legacy includes several published treatises on Christian doctrine.

In the 19th century, Johann Georg Wolfgang Wohlgemuth (1812–1884), a painter from Munich, became well-known for his detailed landscapes and portraits. His artwork remains displayed in German museums, reflecting the cultural contribution of those bearing the surname.

The prevalence of the surname Wohlgemuth is noted in various historical contexts, ranging from military endeavors to intellectual pursuits and artistry. Each recorded instance adds depth to the understanding of the surname's heritage and the diverse roles its bearers have played throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wohlgemuth

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

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

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

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