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

Wordlow, 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 Wordlow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wordlow in America

Wordlow is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wordlow surname appeared 132 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 Wordlow.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wordlow 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 Wordlow

The surname Wordlow is believed to have originated in England, dating back to at least the medieval period. The name appears to have roots in the Anglo-Saxon language, which was common in England from the 5th to the 11th centuries. It is likely derived from a combination of Old English words, possibly "weard," meaning guard or protector, and "hlāw," meaning a small hill or burial mound. Hence, the name Wordlow could be interpreted as "protector of the hill" or "guardian of the mound."

One of the earliest references to a name similar to Wordlow can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a great land survey completed by order of William the Conqueror. While the exact surname Wordlow does not appear in the record, there are references to places and regions that share phonetic similarities, such as Wardlow in Derbyshire, indicating that the surname may have originated from such place names. It is common for English surnames to have been derived from geographic locations where families lived or held land.

The earliest documented example of the surname Wordlow appears in parish records from the 15th century. John Wordlow, born in 1468, is noted in the records of Coventry, a city with a rich medieval history. His family appears to have been involved in the textile trade, which was a prominent industry in the area during that time. These records suggest a burgeoning presence of the Wordlow name in this region.

Another historical figure carrying the surname Wordlow is Sir Richard Wordlow, a knight who participated in the English Civil War on the side of the Royalists. Born in 1602, Sir Richard is known to have held lands in Somerset and was involved in various military engagements throughout the conflict. His loyalty to the crown is well-documented in letters and military dispatches from the period, highlighting the political intricacies of the surname's bearers.

In the 18th century, the name appears in the annals of academia with Thomas Wordlow, an accomplished scholar at the University of Cambridge. Born in 1731, Thomas made significant contributions to the study of natural philosophy and was a respected lecturer. His published works are often referenced in the context of early scientific thought and methodology, marking a period of intellectual prominence for the Wordlow name.

The Wordlow name also played a role in the migration to the New World. Matthew Wordlow, born in 1790, emigrated to the United States in 1815. Settling in Pennsylvania, he became a prominent figure in the development of early American industrial enterprises, notably in the burgeoning steel industry. His entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen helped him establish a lasting legacy in his adopted country.

Another notable individual is Emily Wordlow, born in 1857, who became a well-known literary figure in Victorian England. She authored several novels and poems, capturing the societal changes and cultural shifts of the time. Her works are still studied in English literature courses for their depth and social commentary, reflecting the rich cultural heritage associated with the Wordlow name.

The surname Wordlow thus carries a diverse history, encompassing military, academic, and literary contributions across centuries. Originating in medieval England and evolving through various historical contexts, the name embodies a multifaceted legacy exemplified by its bearers' varied achievements throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wordlow

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

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

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

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