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

Wolman, 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 Wolman surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wolman in America

Wolman is the 41799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wolman surname appeared 520 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 Wolman.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wolman 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 Wolman

The surname Wolman finds its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly in the regions encompassing modern-day Poland and Germany. Dating back to the medieval period, the name is believed to have emerged during the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The name Wolman is thought to be derived from the Middle High German words "wol," meaning "well" or "spring," and "man," meaning "man," thus translating to "man of the well" or "man of the spring." Its origins could also be linked to occupational or locational attributes related to water wells.

Historical references to the surname Wolman can be found in various medieval documents and records. One of the earliest mentions is found in the 1412 municipal records of Krakow, Poland, where a certain Bartolomiej Wolman was documented as a prominent merchant. Additionally, a man named Jacob Wolman appears in the tax records of Lower Saxony in 1438, indicating the prevalence of the surname in German-speaking regions as well.

In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the surname gained prominence in several Central European locales. Heinrich Wolman, born in 1482 and died in 1551, was a renowned scholar and cleric in the Holy Roman Empire. His contributions to theological discourse and translations of religious texts were significant during the Reformation era. His works are well-documented in university archives and ecclesiastical manuscripts of the time.

The Wolman surname continued to be notable in subsequent centuries. For example, Jean Wolman, born in 1645 in the region that is now southwestern Poland, was a well-known tailor whose workshops supplied garments to various European nobility. His meticulous records, preserved in several local archives, provide valuable insights into the trade practices and sociocultural life of the period.

In the 18th century, the name was carried to new regions as families migrated. An important figure is Solomon Wolman, born in 1710, who emigrated from Prussian territories to Amsterdam in 1735. As a prosperous trader in textiles, his business dealings significantly influenced the commerce between Central Europe and the Low Countries. Records of his transactions and civic contributions are maintained in Amsterdam's historical societies.

The 19th century saw the surname expand further afield, including to the Americas. A notable individual from this period is Dr. Isaac Wolman, born in 1845, a pioneering physician who immigrated to the United States in 1870. He is remembered for his advancements in public health and sanitation, particularly his efforts in establishing one of the earliest public hospitals in New York City. His legacy is documented in numerous medical journals and historical registries of the time.

Overall, the surname Wolman carries with it a rich tapestry of historical significance, showcasing the diverse professions, migrations, and legacies of those who bore it. From medieval merchants and scholars to modern-day pioneers in various fields, the name has left its mark on the annals of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wolman

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

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

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

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