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

Woolstenhulme, 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 Woolstenhulme surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woolstenhulme in America

Woolstenhulme is the 37955th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woolstenhulme surname appeared 585 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 Woolstenhulme.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woolstenhulme 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 Woolstenhulme

The surname Woolstenhulme originates from England, specifically in the Lancashire and Cheshire regions. This English surname is rooted in the medieval period, with its early origins dating back to at least the 13th century. The areas associated with this surname are typically rural and were historically involved in agriculture and sheep farming.

The name Woolstenhulme is derived from Old English elements. The first part, wool, likely references the material derived from sheep, which were prevalent in that region during the surname's formation. The middle segment, sten, could be related to the Old English word "stan," meaning stone, implying a habitat or location known for its stone ground or buildings. The final part, hulme, may come from "holmr," an Old Norse word meaning island or dry land in a marsh. Collectively, Woolstenhulme might be interpreted to mean "homestead or farm on stony ground in a marsh."

Historical references place the surname Woolstenhulme in various records and documents, highlighting its prevalence and significance in local histories. One early mention can be found in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire, where a John de Wulstanholm is listed around 1218. Such records indicate the presence of the name long before many of today's standardized spellings came into existence.

The earliest recorded example of the surname in a detailed format is an entry from the 14th century in the Lancashire Poll Tax records of 1379, listing a William de Wolstenholme. Variations in spelling, such as Wolstenholme or Woolstenholme, were common before the advent of modern spelling conventions, attesting to the name's historical roots in the region.

A notable individual bearing the surname is Richard Woolstenhulme, who was born in 1583 and played a significant role in the local governance of Cheshire, marking his influence in regional politics in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His contributions to local governance in the area are well-documented.

Another notable figure is Thomas Woolstenhulme, born in 1720, who was recognized for his advancements in agricultural practices in Lancashire. His work in developing new methods for sheep farming helped reshape the rural economy of the region, leaving a prominent mark on local agricultural history.

The surname appears again in the 19th century with the birth of George Woolstenhulme in 1835, a clergyman who significantly contributed to religious life in Northern England. His impactful sermons and dedication to pastoral care were well-acknowledged in his community.

In the 20th century, Elsie Woolstenhulme, born in 1901, gained prominence for her activism in women's suffrage and educational reform in Lancashire. Her tireless work in promoting women's rights and access to education marked a turning point in the socio-political landscape of her time.

The Woolstenhulme name's evolution through history reflects the economic, social, and political changes in England, demonstrating the long-standing connection between family names and regional development. The legacy of the surname Woolstenhulme is rich with historical significance and notable contributions across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woolstenhulme

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

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

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

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