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

Woolman, 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 Woolman surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woolman in America

Woolman is the 25601st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woolman surname appeared 964 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 Woolman.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woolman 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 Woolman

The surname Woolman has its origins in England. It first appeared in the Middle Ages, likely around the 12th or 13th century. This period was characterized by several occupational surnames coming into general use, and Woolman is a prime example. The name typically denoted someone who was involved in the wool trade, which was a significant part of the medieval economy in England. The term derives from the Old English word "wull" meaning wool and "mann" meaning man, signifying a person who worked with or traded wool.

Records from the period indicate various spellings of the name, including Wolman and Wullman, reflecting the phonetic spelling practices of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in medieval archives around the late 1200s. For example, a Richard Wolman is cited in tax rolls in Suffolk in 1273. The wool trade during this period was a major contributor to England’s wealth and geopolitical power, and individuals involved in this trade held an important place in the economic structure.

Another notable historical reference appears in the form of John Woolman (1720-1772), an American merchant and Quaker preacher known for his writings on anti-slavery. Woolman’s journals, which document his life and travels as well as his thoughts on ethical living and social justice, are highly regarded historical texts. Born in Rancocas, New Jersey, he represents a later, international spread of the surname following migration from England.

In more modern history, John Woolman is not the only figure of note. George Woolman, born in 1837, was another influential individual bearing this surname. He was a pioneer in the development of the seed business in the United States, having founded Woolman & Co. This company was known for its quality seeds and helped in the agricultural development of many areas in the U.S.

In England, another historical figure is Thomas Woolman, a wool merchant who lived during the late 15th century. His business dealings are recorded in local guild records from London, marking his influence in the industry during a time when wool was a cornerstone of England's economy.

A final example is Henry Woolman, a noted historian and author from the late 19th century. His works often focused on detailing the lives of people in the wool trade, providing us with substantial insights into the historical significance of this occupation and by extension, the surname Woolman.

Throughout history, the surname Woolman has evolved but always retained its strong connection to the wool trade. This occupational name provides a fascinating glimpse into the economic and social fabric of medieval and early modern England, and the migration patterns that spread it across the Atlantic to America.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woolman

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

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

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

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