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

Wolridge, 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 Wolridge surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wolridge in America

Wolridge is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wolridge surname appeared 112 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 Wolridge.

The history of the last name Wolridge

The surname Wolridge is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is thought to be a locational surname, derived from a place of residence. Etymologically, it likely originates from the Old English "wulf," meaning wolf, and "hrycg," meaning ridge or crest, thus translating to "wolf's ridge." Such a name would typically denote someone who lived near a hillside frequented by wolves or in a region where wolves were prevalent.

One of the earliest documented records of the name appears in the 13th century. A notable reference is found in the Close Rolls of 1274, which document a Robert de Wolrugg. These rolls were administrative records kept by the clerks of the Chancery, listing actions taken by the monarchy and their officials, and they provide valuable insight into early forms of the surname.

During the Middle Ages, variants such as Wolrugge and Woolridge were also recorded. The variations in spelling are reflective of the time before standardized English spelling had been established, leading to multiple interpretations of the original name within local dialects and scribal preferences.

A prominent historical figure bearing the surname Wolridge was Sir Thomas Wolridge (1562-1628), a landowner in Bedfordshire known for his contributions to local governance and participation in the political spheres of his time. His estate in Bedfordshire is among the earliest known properties associated with the name.

In the 17th century, another noteworthy individual was John Wolridge (1620-1677), an English writer and agriculturalist known for his works on farming practices. His most famous book, "Systema Agriculturae," published in 1675, provided one of the early comprehensive guides on improving agricultural efficiency.

Moving forward to the 18th century, Edward Wolridge (1705-1781) emerged as a key figure in the wool trade in Yorkshire. His contributions to the burgeoning industrial landscape of England were instrumental as he expanded the family business into one of the dominant wool suppliers in the region.

In the 19th century, Samuel Wolridge (1833-1904) became notable as an influential engineer and inventor during the Industrial Revolution. He held several patents which revolutionized machinery used in the textile industry, bringing significant advancements to manufacturing processes of that era.

Towards the end of the 19th century, Sarah Wolridge (1857-1936) stood out for her philanthropic work. She dedicated much of her life to establishing schools and orphanages in underprivileged communities, particularly focusing on improving access to education for girls in rural areas.

The surname Wolridge has thus been borne by individuals who contributed significantly to a variety of fields, reflecting the diverse paths taken by those who carried this name through the centuries. Their legacies offer a rich tapestry of historical significance tied to the surname Wolridge, reaching back to its medieval English roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wolridge

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

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 Wolridge 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.

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

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

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