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

Woll, 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 Woll surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woll in America

Woll is the 18502nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woll surname appeared 1,493 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 Woll.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woll 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 Woll

The surname Woll has its origins in Germany, with historical beginnings tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from areas within the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, known for their rich linguistic diversity. The name is thought to originate from the Middle High German word "wolle," which translates to "wool," indicating that early bearers of the name may have been involved in the wool trade or textile industry.

Historical references to the surname Woll can be found in various medieval German records. One of the earliest mentions is in the documentation of local guilds and trade associations, where several individuals named Woll were listed as practicing the craft of weaving and wool processing. Records from the late 13th century in towns such as Nuremberg and Augsburg feature the name, reflecting its association with skilled artisans in the burgeoning textile economy of the time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Woll appears in a 1274 manuscript from Nuremberg, referencing a Jakob Woll who was noted as a prominent wool merchant. This suggests that the surname Woll was established within the merchant class, contributing to local commerce and the regional economy. The name appears in slightly varying forms in different areas, such as Wolle in some parts of Bavaria, showing the fluidity of spelling in the pre-standardized German language.

In the early modern period, the surname Woll became more widespread. A notable figure is Hans Woll, born in 1512 and died in 1580, who was a respected master weaver in Augsburg. His contributions to the local guilds were substantial, and his family continued to be associated with the textile trade for generations. Another historical figure is Margarete Woll, born in 1605 and died in 1673, who was known for her philanthropic efforts in Munich, where she funded institutions that supported weavers and their families.

During the 18th century, migration patterns brought the surname Woll to other parts of Europe and even the Americas. One significant individual is Johann Peter Woll, born in 1741 and died in 1810, who emigrated to Pennsylvania, USA, where he continued his trade as a wool merchant. His descendants played a crucial role in establishing wool-processing practices in the New World.

In the 19th century, advancements in the industrial revolution saw individuals with the surname Woll such as Friedrich Woll, born in 1832 and died in 1904, making significant contributions to the mechanization of textile production in Germany. His innovations were instrumental in transforming traditional weaving methods and spurred the growth of the textile industry.

Throughout history, the surname Woll has been associated with the wool trade and textile industry, reflecting the economic and social contributions of its bearers. The name remains a testament to the skilled artisans and merchants who shaped their communities through craftsmanship and trade.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woll

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

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

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

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