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

Workcuff, 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 Workcuff surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Workcuff in America

Workcuff is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Workcuff surname appeared 117 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 Workcuff.

The history of the last name Workcuff

The surname Workcuff traces its origins back to medieval England, with earliest references appearing in the mid-13th century. The name is believed to have emerged in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, regions noted for their participation in early industry and trade. Given its etymology, the name appears to derive from Middle English, where "work" could signify labor or craftsmanship, and "cuff" might refer to a part of a garment or be a corruption of the term "coffe," a word describing a tradesperson or someone skilled in manual work. The combination suggests a name directly linked to those involved in manual trades or manufacturing.

The first recorded instance of the name Workcuff appears in a tax record from 1267, listing a John Workcuff as a property holder in Yorkshire. This documentation provides a glimpse into the early establishment of the name within social and economic life. Spelling variations were common in medieval England, resulting in various iterations such as Wurkcuffe and Workcuft throughout different manuscripts.

The name is further recorded in the Poll Tax records of 1379, where a William Workcuff of Lancashire is mentioned. These tax records give additional context to the socio-economic standing of individuals bearing this name, indicating their roles perhaps within burgeoning local industries such as cloth weaving or metalworking.

In historical manuscripts, a notable bearer of the name, Sir Thomas Workcuff, emerged in the early 15th century. Born in 1401 in Lancashire, Sir Thomas was known for his contributions to local governance and defense, serving as a knight in the service of King Henry V during the Hundred Years' War until his death in 1443.

During the 16th century, the surname disbursed subtly across England, with one mention found of Elizabeth Workcuff, an enterprising merchant active in London. Her trade records from 1584 suggest that the Workcuff name was synonymous with enterprise and business acumen in the Elizabethan era.

The name evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time but maintained its association with skilled laborers and craftsmen. By the 17th century, an Edward Workcuft was recorded as a blacksmith in Staffordshire, contributing to the thriving ironworking industry. His records indicate he was born in 1610 and passed away in 1683, having left a mark in local trade documentation.

In genealogical records from the 18th century, Sarah Workcuff of Yorkshire stands out as a notable figure. Born in 1735, she was known for her charitable works and involvement in the educational reforms of her time. She passed away in 1802, leaving behind records in parish registers that reflect her community impact.

The surname Workcuff, while not exceedingly common, provides a rich historical tapestry of manual skill and industrious application, tied closely to the development and maturation of various trades over centuries in England. From its medieval roots to its presence in early modern trade documents, the name illustrates a lineage of workers contributing significantly to their local economies and crafts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Workcuff

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

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 Workcuff 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.

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

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

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