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

Wonders, 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 Wonders surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wonders in America

Wonders is the 26910th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wonders surname appeared 902 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 Wonders.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wonders 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 Wonders

The surname Wonders has its origins in England, specifically dating back to the medieval period. Derived from the Middle English word "wonder," it likely referred to someone who was considered extraordinary in some way, perhaps eliciting wonder or amazement. The word itself comes from the Old English "wundor," which shares roots with words in other Germanic languages, suggesting a common heritage.

The earliest references to the surname can be traced back to English records in the 13th and 14th centuries. One of the first known instances of the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296, where a Robertus Wonders is mentioned. This aligns with the time when surnames began to become hereditary and more standardized in England.

In the Middle Ages, the surname may also have had a regional association with certain parts of England, including Sussex and Kent. These areas were known for diverse communities where unique surnames could emerge based on individual characteristics, trades, or other notable features.

The Wonders surname is also seen in historical manuscripts. For example, the Feet of Fines for Essex from the 15th century show an entry for a William Wonders. During this time, fines were a common form of documenting property transactions and disputes, thereby offering a useful source of historical names.

A notable bearer of the surname includes Joan Wonders, who was recorded in the parish records of Wiltshire around 1540. Her presence in these records indicates the use of the surname in various parts of England by ordinary people, not just in legal or official documents.

Faith Wonders appeared in records from the 17th century. She was known to be involved in a small community of craftsmen in London, showing that the surname had permeated different societal roles and occupations.

Moving into the 18th century, the name appears overseas as well, reflecting migration patterns. Samuel Wonders, born in 1765 in Essex, England, is recorded as having moved to the American colonies. He settled in Virginia, where he became a farmer, and his descendants continued to carry the surname into the New World.

Another person of interest is Edward Wonders, born in 1820 in Lancashire, who became known locally for his work in the wool industry during the height of the Industrial Revolution. His presence there indicates that the surname had spread to various parts of England by this time, associated with diverse vocations.

Overall, the surname Wonders has a rich history rooted in medieval England, recorded through various historical documents and borne by a variety of individuals who contributed to different facets of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wonders

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

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

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

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