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

Wreh, 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 Wreh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wreh in America

Wreh is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wreh surname appeared 165 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 Wreh.

The history of the last name Wreh

The surname Wreh has its origins in Liberia, a country on the West African coast. The name is tied closely to the Kru language, a member of the Niger-Congo language family. Kru-speaking ethnic groups have a history that stretches back centuries, and their languages often include glottal stops and other phonetic elements that can influence surname formation. In Kru, the components of the name Wreh could be related to words describing attributes or familial connections, though there's no single definitive root word.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Wreh comes from oral histories recorded by anthropologists in the early 20th century. These histories detail the movements and communities of the Kru people, suggesting that the surname Wreh has been in use for several generations. While Liberia itself gained independence in 1847, the traditions and names of its indigenous people considerably predate this event.

Among the most notable bearers of the surname was George Weah's maternal uncle. George Weah, born in 1966, is one of Liberia's most famous figures but is known predominantly for his maternal lineage. George Weah's mother's brother, often referred to in accounts by the family name Wreh, played a significant role in their local community in Monrovia. His contributions to their local economy and social structure were widely noted.

Another prominent person bearing the surname was Alexander B. Wreh, born in the early 1900s. Alexander Wreh was a prominent figure in Liberia's educational development, advocating for more inclusive schooling for indigenous populations. His legacy includes several published works on educational reform and tribal integration during the mid-20th century.

The name also appeared in missionary records from the late 1800s. These records, stored in historical archives in Monrovia, often mentioned families like the Wrehs, who were among those converted to Christianity by American and European missionaries. The Wrehs were notable for maintaining traditional cultural practices while engaging with the introduced religion and educational opportunities.

Ellen Wreh, born in 1923, was a notable Liberian nurse and midwife who significantly impacted healthcare in rural areas. Her work during the 1950s and 1960s was particularly influential in reducing infant mortality rates and improving maternal health in communities that were previously underserved.

Furthermore, Benjamin Wreh, born in 1950, became a noteworthy social activist who played a key role in peacebuilding efforts during and after Liberia's civil wars. His advocacy for displaced populations and his pivotal role in seeking reparative justice for affected communities have left an indelible mark on the nation’s reconstruction narratives.

Other historical mentions include the likes of tribal chiefs and local leaders named Wreh, who were frequently referenced in documents dating back to the 19th century. These figures were pivotal in negotiating with colonial powers and guiding their people through periods of immense change.

The name Wreh has appeared in various forms in different records, often phonetically spelled out by non-native speakers, which sometimes led to variant spellings. Despite these variances, the fundamental linguistic and cultural roots remain consistent with the Kru heritage.

These records and references collectively paint a picture of the surname Wreh as deeply embedded in the history and social fabric of Liberia, demonstrating the importance of familial lineages and their contributions to the broader societal developments in Western Africa.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wreh

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

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

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

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