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

Woolbright, 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 Woolbright surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woolbright in America

Woolbright is the 19441st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woolbright surname appeared 1,390 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 Woolbright.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woolbright 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 Woolbright

The surname Woolbright has primarily Anglo-Saxon roots, originating in England during the medieval period. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name or a geographical feature. The name Woolbright likely originated from a location where wool was a significant aspect of the local economy, combined with the old English term for a clearing or bright area. The name could also be connected to a place known for its wool production or perhaps even a bright or open pasture used for grazing sheep.

Early records indicate various spellings of the name, such as Wolbright and Wulbright. These variations reflect the phonetic spelling in the historical documents of the time, as spelling was often inconsistent. The name appeared in old English parish records and tax rolls, showing its presence in rural areas where sheep farming was prevalent. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in a 1273 tax document, listing a John Woolbyrte of Warwickshire.

Historical references to the Woolbright surname can be found in medieval manuscripts and ecclesiastical records. In the 14th century, a Richard Woolbright was mentioned in the records of the diocese of Lichfield. These early instances point to the surname being relatively rare but well-rooted in specific agricultural communities.

One of the most notable bearers of the surname in the 17th century was John Woolbright, born in 1620, who became a respected wool merchant in the towns of Wiltshire. His success in the wool trade contributed to the local economy and cemented the Woolbright name as one associated with wool production and trade.

In the late 18th century, a Thomas Woolbright, born in 1768, is recorded as having migrated to the American colonies, where he became a prominent farmer in Virginia. This movement demonstrates the spread of the surname beyond its English origins and into new territories where agriculture remained a central occupation.

Other noteworthy individuals include Edward Woolbright, born in 1832, who fought in the American Civil War, and his son, George Woolbright, born in 1865, who became a known figure in early American politics as a local councilman in Ohio in the late 19th century.

Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have standardized, but its origins remain closely tied to the wool industry and the rural landscapes of medieval England. The name continues to be a marker of English heritage, reflecting the occupation and lifestyle of its early bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woolbright

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

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

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

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