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

Wolken, 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 Wolken surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wolken in America

Wolken is the 18028th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wolken surname appeared 1,548 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 Wolken.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wolken 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 Wolken

The surname Wolken has its origins in Germany, where it first appeared during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "wolke," meaning "cloud." This suggests that the name may have originally been a nickname for someone who lived in a high, cloudy area, or possibly someone with a light or fluffy appearance.

Wolken is thought to have originated in the regions that now comprise modern-day Germany, particularly around the Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg areas. The earliest references to the name can be found in documents from the 14th century. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in a 1350 manuscript from Mainz, where a Heinrich Wolken is noted as a landowner.

The surname appears in various forms in medieval records, including Wolke, Wolcken, and Wolcker. These variations likely arose from local dialects and the phonetic transcription practices of early record keepers. Johannes Wolken, born in 1407 and died in 1475, was a notable figure in Cologne, where he served as a merchant and city councilor. His contributions to local commerce are documented in the city’s trade records.

Another significant historical figure is Georg Wolken, who was born in 1562 and died in 1625. Georg was a renowned theologian and author, whose work on religious texts gained considerable influence during the Protestant Reformation. His writings have been preserved in various libraries across Germany.

In the 18th century, the Wolken name appears prominently in military records. Karl Wolken, born in 1719 and died in 1783, served as a lieutenant in the Prussian army and participated in the Seven Years' War. His military service is commemorated in several historical military documents.

The Wolken family name also spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the United States during the 19th century. One notable individual who carried the surname overseas was Friedrich Wolken, born in 1831 and died in 1892. Friedrich emigrated to America in 1860 and became a successful farmer in Wisconsin. His contributions to his local community were significant, evidenced by mentions in local newspapers and county histories.

Wilhelmina Wolken, born in 1875 and died in 1953, was a pioneering educator in Berlin. She established several schools dedicated to advancing women's education at a time when such opportunities were limited. Her legacy in the field of education is honored by multiple institutions that bear her name.

Throughout history, the surname Wolken has been associated with various professions and contributions to society. From merchants and military officers to theologians and educators, bearers of the name have made their mark across centuries and continents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wolken

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

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

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

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