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

Woofter, 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 Woofter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woofter in America

Woofter is the 33036th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woofter surname appeared 693 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 Woofter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woofter 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 Woofter

The surname Woofter likely originates from England during the medieval period. There is evidence suggesting that the name is derived from the Old English words "wulf" or "wolf," which denote the wild animal, combined with an occupational or descriptive suffix, potentially "-er" referring to a person associated with or characterized by wolves. This is consistent with practices of forming surnames based on animals and occupations, prevalent in medieval England.

Early records do not provide a definitive source, but variations of the surname Woofter can be seen in older manuscripts such as tax records and parish registers. For instance, a John Wulftere appears in a 13th-century document in Warwickshire, indicating an early form of the surname. These records, though sparse, suggest the name could have been present in regions known for dense forests and hunting activities, where wolves were quite common.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Woofter is from the 14th century, when a Richard Woftare is mentioned in the court rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire. This record from the mid-1300s shows the evolution of the name and its presence in northern England. The spelling variations such as Woftare, Wulfere, and Woffter in historical documents indicate a fluidity in the name's orthography as it evolved over centuries.

Throughout history, several individuals bearing the surname Woofter have made notable contributions. Edward Woofter, born in 1624 and deceased in 1691, was a well-regarded landowner in Norfolk, known for his agricultural innovations. Sarah Woofter, born in 1738, made a name for herself as a midwife in Somerset, where she assisted in the birth of many children in her parish. The name appears in colonial America as well, with Thomas Woofter, who emigrated to Virginia in 1670, becoming a prominent figure in early American settlements.

In the 19th century, James Woofter, born in 1820, gained fame as a pioneering settler and businessman in Ohio, directly contributing to the economic development of the region. Another notable figure, Martha Woofter, born in 1855, was a renowned educator and advocate for women's suffrage, having a significant impact in advocating for women's rights in late 19th-century America.

The surname Woofter, with its rich history and various noted individuals, reflects a lineage that has adapted and flourished through centuries, spanning from medieval England to modern America. The name's evolution, shaped by regional dialects and historical contexts, serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of surname etymology.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woofter

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

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

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

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