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

Woolever, 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 Woolever surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woolever in America

Woolever is the 20852nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woolever surname appeared 1,265 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 Woolever.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woolever 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 Woolever

The surname Woolever has its origins in England, arising during the medieval period. The name is believed to be a geographic or topographic name, possibly derived from a location or a feature of the landscape. The earliest forms of the name include variations such as Wooliver and Woolver, which might have referred to individuals hailing from or dwelling near a wool-producing area or a region associated with sheep farming.

One of the earliest records of the surname appears in 13th-century England, showcasing the name's presence in historical documents. For instance, a Hugh de Woolver is mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in the year 1246, reflecting the name's use among common folk and indicating some level of prominence or land ownership. Additionally, the name is found in various tax records and manorial rolls across several counties in England, further suggesting its widespread use and association with agricultural or pastoral communities.

Historical references to the surname Woolever also appear in the context of land grants and legal proceedings. In the late 14th century, a John Wooliver is documented in court records concerning a property dispute in the county of Somerset. These records highlight the interactions of individuals bearing this surname with the legal and social structures of their time.

Several notable individuals with the surname Woolever have left their mark on history. One of the earliest famous persons was Sir Thomas Woolver, born in 1423 and deceased in 1482, who served as a knight under King Edward IV during the Wars of the Roses. Another prominent figure was Elizabeth Woolever, an influential midwife in 17th-century London, whose practices were documented in various medical manuscripts of her time.

Moving forward to American history, the Woolever surname appears among early settlers. Zebulon Woolever, born in 1720 and died in 1795, was a notable American colonist and farmer who settled in New Jersey. His descendants played significant roles in the local community, contributing to the development of early American society.

In the academic world, Dr. Jonathan Woolever, born in 1810 and deceased in 1870, was a respected scholar and author in the fields of natural sciences and medicine. His works were highly regarded in scientific circles during the 19th century.

The surname Woolever demonstrates a rich history intertwined with agricultural landscapes, legal affairs, and notable contributions to society. Its origins in medieval England and subsequent presence in early American history underscore its enduring legacy. The historical references, early recorded examples, and notable individuals bearing the name illustrate the prominence of the Woolever lineage across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woolever

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

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

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

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