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

Woldegebriel, 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 Woldegebriel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woldegebriel in America

Woldegebriel is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woldegebriel surname appeared 127 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 Woldegebriel.

The history of the last name Woldegebriel

The surname Woldegebriel originates from Ethiopia, an ancient country in East Africa with a storied history. The name is a composite of two words from the Ge'ez language, an ancient Semitic language used in liturgical rites of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. "Wolde" means "son of," and "Gebriel" refers to the Archangel Gabriel, making the name mean "son of Gabriel." This etymology indicates a deep religious connotation, reflecting the Christian heritage of Ethiopia, where names derived from saints and angels are common.

The regions where Woldegebriel was originally from are primarily centered around the highlands of Ethiopia, particularly in areas known for their strong Christian communities. Historical references to surnames in Ethiopia are less common before the 20th century because Ethiopian naming conventions often revolved around a patronymic system rather than a fixed family name. Thus, surnames in a modern Western sense weren't as prevalent historically.

Though there are limited old records comparable to the Domesday Book in Ethiopia, the name Woldegebriel does appear in texts associated with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Manuscripts and religious documents dating back to the medieval period often contain references to priests, deacons, and other religious figures bearing this surname, illustrating its long-standing association with ecclesiastical roles.

Among the earliest recorded individuals with this surname, one notable figure is Saint Wolde Gebriel, born around the 15th century. He was an Ethiopian saint and monastic whose life is chronicled in religious manuscripts. Another famous person is Yared Woldegebriel, a renowned Ethiopian composer born in the 17th century. He is especially celebrated for his contributions to Ethiopian liturgical music. In the 19th century, Mesfin Woldegebriel, an influential political figure, made significant contributions to the modernization of Ethiopia under Emperor Menelik II.

In the early 20th century, Abate Woldegebriel, a decorated general, played a critical role in Ethiopia's defense during the Italian invasion of 1935. His military leadership and strategies were pivotal during this tumultuous period. Another prominent individual is Dr. Solomon Woldegebriel, born in the mid-20th century, a pioneering medical professional whose work in rural healthcare has been widely recognized.

These historical references and notable figures illustrate the rich legacy carried by the surname Woldegebriel, rooted deeply in Ethiopian history, culture, and religion. The surname's evolution showcases Ethiopia's enduring tradition of naming that honors religious heritage and family lineage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woldegebriel

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

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 Woldegebriel 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.

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

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

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