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

Woolford, 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 Woolford surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woolford in America

Woolford is the 15551st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woolford surname appeared 1,881 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Woolford.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woolford 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 Woolford

The surname Woolford is of English origin and can be traced back to medieval times. Woolford is a combination of the Old English words "wulf," meaning wolf, and "ford," which denotes a crossing point over a river. Thus, Woolford translates to "wolf ford," suggesting a place where wolves were known to cross a river or stream. This surname is thought to have originated in regions of England where these geographical features were prevalent.

Historical references to the name Woolford can be found in several medieval records. One of the earliest mentions appears in the Hundred Rolls, a census taken in England in the late 13th century. The year 1274 records a Richard de Wulfard in Norfolk, which may be an early spelling variant of the surname. Another early instance is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, with a mention of a William Woolfard, indicating the name had become more established by this time.

The surname Woolford was also linked to various place names. Woolford in Gloucestershire is a notable example, and historical records from the area often mention inhabitants with this surname. Another place linked to the origins of the surname is Woolford Wood in Oxfordshire, where local records from the 14th century include the Woolford family.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Woolford. One example is Thomas Woolford (b. 1540) of Worcestershire, a landholder whose name appears in various legal documents of the time. Another significant figure is Eleanor Woolford (1590-1658), who was known for her contributions to local charitable activities in Gloucestershire.

In the 18th century, John Woolford (1760-1827) emerged as a noteworthy figure. He was an artist and cartographer who worked extensively on mapping projects for the British government. His detailed maps and drawings of colonial territories remain valuable historical documents.

Moving into the 19th century, Sarah Woolford (1802-1875) gained recognition in literary circles. Her poems and essays were published in various periodicals, contributing to the cultural fabric of her time.

Lastly, the surname Woolford also reached the New World, where Joseph Woolford (1833-1901) became known for his pioneering efforts in agriculture and community building in North America. His descendants continued the Woolford tradition, playing roles in local governance and public service.

The surname Woolford has thus woven itself into the historical and social fabric of England and beyond, carrying with it a legacy tied to geographical landmarks, community contributions, and notable historical figures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woolford

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

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

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

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