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

Wollney, 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 Wollney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wollney in America

Wollney is the 126765th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wollney surname appeared 135 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 Wollney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wollney 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 Wollney

The surname Wollney is believed to have originated in Germany, with the earliest known records dating back to the medieval period, specifically around the 12th and 13th centuries. This surname likely emerged from the regions of what is now modern-day Germany, possibly from areas such as Bavaria or Saxony, known for their dense forests and rural landscapes.

The surname Wollney can be broken down etymologically, with its roots potentially derived from the Middle High German word "wolle" meaning "wool," combined with the suffix "-ney" or "-nei," which generally denotes a place associated with a particular activity or characteristic. This suggests that the original bearers of the name might have been involved in the wool trade or lived near a place where wool production was significant.

One of the earliest references to the surname appears in a 13th-century Saxon manor roll, mentioning a "Hermannus de Wollnei," who was a landowner with considerable holdings. This document provides a glimpse into the socioeconomic status of individuals with this surname, indicating their involvement in agricultural or trade-related activities.

In the 15th century, Johannes Wollney, born in 1412, is noted as a prominent figure in Bavarian mercantile circles. His contributions to local trade and commerce were significant, and records from the municipal archives of Munich highlight his dealings with textile merchants throughout Central Europe. He passed away in 1489, leaving behind a substantial legacy in the business community.

Another notable individual is Friedrich Wollney, a scholar born in 1534 who became renowned for his work in natural philosophy. He taught at the University of Leipzig and penned several treatises on botanical sciences, reflecting the Renaissance period’s burgeoning interest in natural history. He died in 1602, leaving a scholarly legacy that added intellectual prestige to the surname.

In the 17th century, Anna Wollney, born in 1647, emerges in records from Nuremberg. She was an early proponent of proto-feminist thought, often engaging in correspondence with thinkers across Europe. Her letters, many of which survive in private collections, offer insights into the intellectual currents of her time and her advocacy for women's education. She died in 1711.

Moving into the 18th century, the name appears in military records with Ludwig Wollney, born in 1723, who served as an officer in the Prussian Army during the Seven Years' War. His service records, housed in the Prussian Military Archives, detail his participation in several key battles and his commendations for bravery and leadership. He died in 1790, having retired with honors.

These historical figures highlight the diverse paths taken by those bearing the surname Wollney, from trade and scholarship to military service and intellectual discourse. While not an exhaustive account, these examples provide a rich tapestry of the surname's historical significance and the roles its bearers played in shaping their respective fields and eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wollney

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

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

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

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