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

Wonson, 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 Wonson surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wonson in America

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

The Wonson 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 Wonson.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wonson 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 Wonson

The surname Wonson has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the southeastern regions of the country, particularly in Kent and Sussex. The name derives from an Old English personal name, possibly Wunstan, which itself is derived from the elements "wynn" meaning joy or bliss, and "stan" meaning stone.

Records of the surname Wonson can be found in various historical documents. One of the earliest references appears in the 13th century Assize Rolls of Kent, where a John Wonestun is documented in 1248. This early spelling indicates the transformation of the surname over the centuries.

In the 14th century, another notable mention of the surname occurs in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1332, where a Richard Wonston is recorded. This record provides evidence of the surname's spread and its presence in different counties.

The earliest recorded example of the name in its current spelling dates back to the 15th century. A William Wonson appears in the Manorial Court Rolls of Kent in 1485. William's descendants likely played a role in the distribution of the surname across England.

The name can also be found in parish registers during the 16th and 17th centuries. For instance, Thomas Wonson is listed in the baptismal records of St. Mary's Church, Rye, Sussex, in 1590. Additionally, a marriage record from 1623 in the same parish mentions Elizabeth Wonson, suggesting the family had established deep roots in the region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals bore the surname Wonson. One of the earliest prominent figures was Sir Robert Wonson, born in 1610, who served as a local magistrate in Sussex. His contribution to local governance earned him respect and recognition during his time.

Another famous bearer of the name was Captain Samuel Wonson, born in 1702, who commanded a trading vessel along the English coastline. His maritime exploits contributed to the family's wealth and status in the community during the 18th century.

In the academic field, Professor John Wonson, born in 1785, is noteworthy. He was a renowned historian who published several works on medieval English history. His scholarly achievements brought distinction to the Wonson name in academia.

The surname Wonson traveled across the Atlantic with the waves of English immigrants to the New World. An early settler, Richard Wonson, born in 1650, is recorded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1675. He played a significant role in the early colonial administration, helping to establish the precedent for the name in America.

Colonel Edward Wonson, born in 1832, was another notable figure. He served with distinction in the Union Army during the American Civil War. His military service and subsequent political career further solidified the Wonson surname's presence and reputation in the United States.

Through these historical references and notable individuals, the surname Wonson has demonstrated a rich and varied history. The name's evolution and spread across both England and the New World reflect a legacy of endurance and prominence across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wonson

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

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

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

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