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

Wrighten, 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 Wrighten surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wrighten in America

Wrighten is the 84136th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wrighten surname appeared 223 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 Wrighten.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wrighten 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 Wrighten

The surname Wrighten is believed to have originated in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "writere" or "wryhta," meaning a maker or builder. Early on, the name likely indicated a person's occupation, often related to crafting or construction. This etymology is closely related to surnames like Wright and Wrightson, all pointing to a common occupational origin.

Wrighten appears to have been more concentrated in areas with significant medieval construction and craftsmanship, such as in the East Midlands and parts of Northern England. As an occupational surname, it would follow the migration patterns of skilled laborers, appearing in various regions where building and craftsmanship were in demand.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Wrighten can be traced back to the 13th century, appearing in local parish records and town inventories. Spelling variations such as Wryghten and Wreyghten can be found in historical documents, showcasing the fluidity of spelling practices in medieval England. An example is Thomas Wreyghten, who appears in a Yorkshire tax record from 1327.

In the 15th century, the name appears in the "Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield,” where a John Wrighten was mentioned in 1476. These references highlight the standing of the Wrighten name within local communities. Such records offer valuable insights into the medieval society where surnames began to stabilize and gain hereditary status.

Several prominent individuals have carried the surname Wrighten across history. Alexander Wrighten, born in 1585, served as a guild master in London, a notable position reflecting his standing in the community. Another was Samuel Wrighten, an English silversmith born in 1643, known for his craftsmanship and contributions to the art of silverworking. Elizabeth Wrighten, an English actress and singer born in 1750, gained fame for her performances in London's theaters, making her one of the first women with this surname to achieve public recognition.

In the early 19th century, Reverend Jonathan Wrighten, born in 1782, played a significant role within the Anglican Church, notably working on charitable education projects in Northern England. His efforts left a lasting impact on the communities he served. Lastly, Eleanor Wrighten, a reformist and women's rights advocate born in 1825, emerged as a prominent figure during the mid-19th century, championing causes that would eventually lead to greater societal changes.

The surname Wrighten, deeply rooted in English history, reveals much about the cultural and occupational shifts over centuries. Its etymological origins and historical references underscore the enduring legacy of skilled labor and craftsmanship, echoing through the lives of those who bore the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wrighten

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

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

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

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