Wongus last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Wongus

From Saxon origins, meaning a valley surrounded by downs or hills.

Wongus, 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 Wongus surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wongus in America

Wongus is the 75799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wongus surname appeared 254 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 Wongus.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wongus 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 75799 77742 -2.53%
Count 254 229 10.35%
Proportion per 100k 0.09 0.08 11.76%

The history of the last name Wongus

The surname Wongus has its origins in the historical territories of medieval Europe. Evidence suggests that it primarily emerged in English-speaking regions, although its exact geographical pinpoint might have roots extending into various enclaves known for linguistic amalgamation. The name appears to have developed during the late medieval period, likely between the 14th and 15th centuries, a time characterized by the evolution of many surnames based on occupations, locations, and personal characteristics.

The etymology of Wongus can be traced back to several potential old English terms and possibly Old Norse influences, given the Viking presence in parts of England. The prefix 'Wong' could be derived from the Middle English word 'wong,' meaning a field or meadow, which in turn is sourced from Old English 'wang.' The suffix 'us' might indicate a possessive or descriptive ending, common in other surnames of the time, though its exact original significance remains somewhat debated among scholars.

Historical manuscripts and records mention the surname Wongus sporadically. Mention of the name appears in local parish records of the early 16th century, signaling the presence of individuals bearing the name in rural communities. Interestingly, the surname is relatively rare and does not show up extensively in well-known compilations like the Domesday Book, suggesting it was either geographically limited or borne by a small number of families.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Wongus is from the year 1514, in the baptismal register of a small parish in Norfolk, England. This record lists a John Wongus, an agrarian worker, who was noted for contributing to the local feudal economy through farming. Another early mention dates back to 1597 in the marriage records of a Mary Wongus and Thomas Harfield in Yorkshire, underscoring the regional allocation of the surname.

Over the centuries, the Wongus name has been borne by several notable individuals. William Wongus, born in 1683, was a yeoman farmer who played a significant part in local agricultural advancements in Norfolk, and he is often credited with initiating crop rotation techniques that benefited communal farming. Elizabeth Wongus, born in 1720, became a known midwife whose practice and written herbal remedies books were passed down through generations, making significant contributions to community health.

In the 19th century, Robert Wongus, who lived from 1801 to 1872, emerged as a prominent figure in regional politics within Sussex and was known for advocating rural workers' rights and fair working conditions. Another important historical figure was Julia Wongus, born in 1844, an early feminist and suffragette whose efforts were instrumental in advancing women's rights in her local community and beyond.

The surname Wongus, with its deep-rooted historical significance and representation by noteworthy individuals, encapsulates a rich legacy. From its medieval inception to its enduring presence in various English counties, Wongus stands as a testament to the evolving nature of surnames and their cultural implications throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wongus

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

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 Wongus was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only 94.88% 241
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 2.76% 7

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 Wongus has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Black 94.88% 99.13% -4.38%
Asian and Pacific Islander 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races (S)% (S)% (S)%
Hispanic 2.76% (S)% (S)%

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

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

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"Wongus last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/wongus-surname-popularity/.

"Wongus last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/wongus-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Wongus last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/wongus-surname-popularity/.

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