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

Wolfolk, 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 Wolfolk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wolfolk in America

Wolfolk is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wolfolk surname appeared 132 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 Wolfolk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wolfolk 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 Wolfolk

The surname Wolfolk is believed to have originated in Northern Europe, specifically within the regions that comprise modern-day Germany and Scandinavia, during the early medieval period. It likely stems from the combination of two ancient Germanic words: "wulf," meaning wolf, and "folc," meaning people or folk. This composite name can be interpreted as "wolf people," possibly referring to a family or clan known for traits associated with wolves, such as bravery, cunning, or collaboration.

The earliest records of similar surnames appear in medieval European texts and documents. Variations in spelling such as "Wolfolk," "Wolfolk," and "Wulfolc" were often used interchangeably due to the lack of standardized spelling during that time. These names were predominantly found in regions of Germany, Denmark, and parts of what are now the Netherlands and Belgium.

One of the earliest documented instances of a surname closely resembling Wolfolk appears in an old German record from the 12th century, where a certain Heinrich Wulfolc is mentioned as a landowner in the region near what is modern-day Hamburg. This record, found in a manuscript chronicling the ownership and transfer of feudal lands, indicates that the surname was in use among the nobility or landed gentry of the period.

Another historical reference can be traced back to England, where the surname appears in records from the Late Middle Ages. The name is documented in the Coventry Guild Rolls of 1437, listing a Thomas Wolfolk as a merchant and member of the guild. This indicates that by the 15th century, the surname had spread beyond continental Europe and was being adopted by English families.

Famous individuals with the surname Wolfolk include Gottfried Wolfolk, a notable German theologian and writer born in 1523 and active until his death in 1587. His works primarily focused on religious reforms and education, making him a significant figure during the Protestant Reformation.

In American history, one of the more prominent bearers of the surname was John Wolfolk, an early 18th-century settler who played a key role in the establishment of communities in Virginia. Born in 1675 and passing away in 1735, John Wolfolk's records show his involvement in agriculture and local governance.

Another significant figure is Mary Wolfolk, born in 1789, who became known for her letters and diaries documenting life during the early 19th century in the Southern United States. Her writings offer a valuable perspective on rural American life and women's roles during that era.

A further notable individual is Heinrich August Wolfolk, born in 1802, a German-American immigrant who contributed to the pioneering efforts in the midwestern United States. He was instrumental in establishing several communities in Illinois and Wisconsin until his death in 1874.

Lastly, Charles Wolfolk, a 19th-century British soldier born in 1833 and known for his service in the British Army during the Crimean War. He achieved the rank of captain and was decorated for his bravery before passing away in 1889.

Among these historical references, each figure with the surname Wolfolk contributed to their respective societies in various capacities, showcasing the widespread adoption and resilience of the name through centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wolfolk

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

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

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

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