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

Woolfork, 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 Woolfork surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woolfork in America

Woolfork is the 47006th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woolfork surname appeared 452 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 Woolfork.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woolfork 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 Woolfork

The surname Woolfork is believed to have its origins in England, likely dating back to the medieval period. The name most probably developed in rural areas where wool production and sheep farming were prevalent. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "wull," meaning wool, and "forc," which refers to a small stream or crossing. The combination of these elements suggests that the name originally described a person who lived near a place where wool was processed or near a wool stream.

The earliest references to the surname Woolfork can be traced back to medieval England, though specific records are sparse. Variants such as Woolford, Woolfolk, and Wolfork have been documented in parish records and other official documents of the time. For instance, the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not explicitly mention the name Woolfork but does include similar derivations such as Woolford, indicative of varied spellings and fluid linguistic transitions over time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Woolfork appears in the early 14th century in the West Midlands of England, an area renowned for its wool trade. A notable individual is Richard Woolfork, documented in the taxation records of 1327. His presence in official records suggests a degree of affluence or involvement in local governance.

By the 16th century, the name Woolfork began to appear in various historical records, including marriage registers and wills. For example, John Woolfork, born in 1582 and a resident of Warwickshire, had his name recorded in the parish marriage register of 1603, indicating the continuity and dispersal of the surname within England.

Another notable figure is William Woolfork, born in 1705, who left England to settle in the American colonies, eventually establishing himself in Virginia. His descendants continued to bear the name, and their influence expanded, especially in the southern United States.

The surname Woolfork maintained its presence over the centuries, with notable individuals like Thomas Woolfork, born in 1795, who became a prominent figure within his community in Tennessee. His contributions to local civic affairs provide a glimpse into the expanding roles of Woolfork family members in various aspects of public life.

By the 19th century, the surname Woolfork could be found in various parts of the English-speaking world, often due to migration and colonization. Charles Woolfork, born in 1830, was another significant historical figure who made an impact as a landowner and philanthropist in the United States, further amplifying the reach and influence of the Woolfork name.

In examining the different spellings and historical references to the surname Woolfork, it is clear that the name has traveled and evolved across time and geography, reflective of the mobility and adaptability of its bearers. From its origins in medieval England to its presence in new lands, the surname Woolfork carries with it a legacy rooted in agricultural livelihoods and community leadership.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woolfork

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

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

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

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