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

Wordlaw, 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 Wordlaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wordlaw in America

Wordlaw is the 39004th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wordlaw surname appeared 565 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 Wordlaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wordlaw 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 Wordlaw

The surname Wordlaw originates from England and is believed to have its roots in the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th century. The name is primarily associated with areas in Northern England, particularly around Yorkshire and Northumberland. It is derived from Old English elements, where "word" could mean speech or declaration and "hlāw" signified a hill or burial mound. Thus, the name might have originally referred to a person living near or associated with a prominent hill or mound where proclamations were made.

Wordlaw appears in various historical references, often with slightly differing spellings. One of the earliest recorded examples is found in the 1296 Lay Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire, where a John de Wordelowe is mentioned. This entry indicates the name was utilized in fiscal records, possibly identifying individuals for tax purposes.

Throughout history, the surname has appeared in different documents and forms. In the Middle Ages, surnames were not fixed and would often reflect regional dialects and personal identification needs. Variations like Wardelowe and Wordelow are seen in parish and court records. These entries help trace the geographical spread and evolution of the name.

One of the earliest notable bearers of this name was Sir Richard Wordlaw, born circa 1400. He was a minor noble who served as a knight in the retinue of Henry V during the Hundred Years' War. His contributions to his local community in Yorkshire were well documented in letters and land grants.

In the 16th century, another significant figure was Margaret Wordlaw, born in 1530. A landowner in Northumberland, she is known to have engaged in several legal disputes documented in the Court of Star Chamber records. Her case files from 1562 detail property disputes and provide insights into the socio-legal landscape of Tudor England.

Robert Wordlaw, born in 1671, was a merchant whose trade operations between England and the Netherlands are well recorded. His business transactions, noted in the Port Books of Newcastle, emphasize the economic integration of English merchants in European trade networks during the late 17th century.

Reverend Thomas Wordlaw, born in 1763, contributes to the clerical history of the surname. Serving as vicar in a small Yorkshire parish, his sermons and community works are preserved in church records, shedding light on the religious and moral undertakings of the period. His involvement in local philanthropy is frequently mentioned in parish bulletins from the late 18th century.

Another distinguished person bearing this surname was Lieutenant Colonel Edward Wordlaw, born in 1822. His military service in the British Army during the Crimean War and his subsequent role in colonial administration in India are recorded in military archives and dispatches. These records highlight the surname's connection to military and governmental service in the 19th century.

Wordlaw is a surname with diverse historical references, encapsulating elements of medieval locality, economic activity, legal history, religious service, and military involvement. From its etymological roots in Old English to its manifestation in various historical documents, the surname serves as a historical marker of personal and regional identities through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wordlaw

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

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

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

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