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

Woldegiorgis, 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 Woldegiorgis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woldegiorgis in America

Woldegiorgis is the 80131st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woldegiorgis surname appeared 237 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 Woldegiorgis.

The history of the last name Woldegiorgis

The surname Woldegiorgis originates from Ethiopia, a country with a rich history and diverse cultural heritage. The name is derived from the Ge'ez language, an ancient Semitic language that has influenced the modern Ethiopian languages. "Wolde" translates to "son of" in Ge'ez, while "Giorgis" is a reference to Saint George, who is a highly venerated saint in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Therefore, Woldegiorgis means "son of George."

The name has historical significance in Ethiopia, notably during the medieval period when the Ethiopian Orthodox Church played a central role in society. Saint George, or Giyorgis in Ethiopian tradition, has been a patron saint of Ethiopia since ancient times. The association with Saint George indicates that the bearer of the surname likely had a religious or noble ancestry connected with the church or was dedicated to this revered saint.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname Woldegiorgis can be traced back to medieval Ethiopian manuscripts and religious texts, where individuals bearing this name were often mentioned in the context of church activities or royal courts. One of the notable mentions is found in the Royal Chronicles of Ethiopia, which document the reigns of various Ethiopian emperors and noble families.

One of the earliest historically significant figures with the surname is Abba Woldegiorgis, a prominent religious leader in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church during the 16th century. He contributed significantly to the religious and cultural life of Ethiopia, and his works are still studied in Ethiopian theological schools.

Another important figure is Ras Woldegiorgis, a nobleman from the 18th century. He was known for his political influence during the Zemene Mesafint, or Era of the Princes, a period characterized by the decentralization of power in Ethiopia. Ras Woldegiorgis played a crucial role in mediating conflicts among various regional leaders.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Dejazmach Woldegiorgis Aboye became a notable military leader. He was instrumental during Emperor Menelik II's reign, particularly in the Battle of Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopian forces successfully defeated Italian invaders. This victory was significant in maintaining Ethiopia’s independence during the period of colonial expansion in Africa.

Another influential person is Dr. Woldegiorgis Gizaw, a renowned scholar and professor in Ethiopian history and literature during the mid-20th century. His research and publications have greatly contributed to the understanding of Ethiopia's rich cultural and historical heritage, garnering respect in academic circles both in Ethiopia and abroad.

In contemporary history, Girma Woldegiorgis, born in 1924 and served as the President of Ethiopia from 2001 to 2013, is a prominent bearer of the surname. His presidency is noted for his efforts in promoting peace and environmental conservation in Ethiopia, and he is remembered as a respected elder statesman.

The surname Woldegiorgis remains significant in Ethiopia, symbolizing a deep connection to the country's religious, cultural, and historical roots. Its bearers have played crucial roles across various periods of Ethiopian history, contributing to the nation's rich legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woldegiorgis

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

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

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

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