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

Wondergem, 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 Wondergem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wondergem in America

Wondergem is the 77522nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wondergem surname appeared 247 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 Wondergem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wondergem 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 Wondergem

The surname Wondergem originates from the Netherlands, specifically from the Dutch-speaking regions. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a geographical location or feature. The name likely emerged during the late medieval period, although the exact time is difficult to pinpoint. The regions most commonly associated with the name are in the provinces of North and South Holland.

The name Wondergem is thought to be derived from two Dutch words: 'wonder,' meaning 'wonder' or 'miracle,' and 'gem,' which in this context could mean 'settlement' or 'home.' Together, the surname could be interpreted as 'wonderous settlement' or 'miracle home.' Another possibility is that it originated from a place known for its beauty or uniqueness, warranting the term 'wonder.'

Historical references to the name Wondergem are relatively sparse, but it appears in various Dutch records and documents. One of the earliest mentions can be found in church registers and baptismal records during the 16th century. An example is found in an early record from 1578, where a Jan Wondergem is documented in the city of Leiden.

The earliest recorded examples highlight the spread of the surname within the Dutch regions. Another early reference is Philip Wondergem, born in 1623 and residing in Rotterdam. His presence in trade documents indicates his active role in the burgeoning Dutch mercantile economy of the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Pieter Wondergem, born around 1702, gained some notoriety as a local official in the town of Gouda. His signature appears on several municipal documents, illustrating the family's continued social involvement and influence within their communities.

Moving into the 19th century, Jannetje Wondergem, born in 1831, distinguished herself as a notable philanthropist in Amsterdam. Her contributions to local orphanages and her advocacy for women's education are well-documented, reflecting the surname’s association with significant social contributions.

In the realm of the arts, Willem Wondergem, born in 1893, was a celebrated painter whose works were exhibited in several European galleries during the early 20th century. His impressionist style and depictions of the Dutch countryside further solidified the cultural footprint of the Wondergem name.

The surname Wondergem provides a fascinating glimpse into how geographical names intertwine with personal identities and historical narratives. From its origins in picturesque Dutch landscapes to its bearers who contributed significantly to their communities, the name carries a legacy of wonder and prominence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wondergem

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

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

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

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