2000
#121,780
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 131
First available Census row
Per 100,000 0.05
Very Rare Last name
Wrightman
A surname derived from an occupational name for a maker or builder.
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 127 Americans carry the last name Wrightman. That puts it at #148,665 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,698,853 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Wrightman surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, a multi-census history view, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
For British records, Name Census UK has a British surname profile for Wrightman with 1881 census detail, origin facts and modern UK distribution where available.
Bearers in the US
127
1 in 2,698,853
Census rank
#148,665
2020 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
111
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 111 bearers of the surname Wrightman in its 2020 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 148665th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Wrightman, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (13.5%) and Two or More Races (9.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Wrightman
The surname Wrightman traces its origins back to England, particularly emerging during the Middle Ages. The name is most likely derived from the Old English elements 'wryhta' or 'wyrhta,' meaning a worker or craftsman, and 'man,' indicating a person. Hence, Wrightman would essentially mean 'a man who is a craftsman' or 'a worker.' This occupational surname was common in regions where specialized trades and the production of goods were essential aspects of daily life.
One of the earliest recorded variations of the name appears in medieval English records, which contain references to similar surnames like Wright, Wryght, and Wryghtman. These names were noted in various historical manuscripts, underlining the commonness of trade-based surnames in those times. For example, the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, contains references to the name Wright in various forms, although Wrightman specifically appears later in the historical record.
Historical references to the surname Wrightman in written records become more clear around the 13th and 14th centuries. One of the earliest mentions is of a John Wrightman, documented in the early 1300s in Norfolk. The variant spelling 'Wrighteman' has also been found in parish records dating back to the same period, indicating that this occupational name was widespread and evolving in its spelling.
As trade and craftsmanship were crucial during medieval times, people bearing the surname Wrightman could be found in various towns and villages, particularly those known for their production capabilities. Over the centuries, the surname spread to different parts of England, particularly those areas with a strong tradition in specific crafts and trades. In the 15th century, records show a William Wrightman, a distinguished smith in Yorkshire, who carried on the family trade with skill and dedication.
Prominent individuals with the surname Wrightman throughout history include Thomas Wrightman (1564-1622), an influential craftsman who contributed significantly to the development of early manufacturing techniques. Another notable figure was Richard Wrightman (1605-1678), who served as an alderman in London and was known for his philanthropic activities during the time of the English Civil War.
The migration of English craftsmen during various periods of history also led to the spread of the surname Wrightman beyond England. For example, a record of George Wrightman, who emigrated to the American colonies in the early 17th century, illustrates the global spread of the surname. His descendants maintained the name and continued the tradition of craftsmanship in the New World.
Additionally, historical figures such as Sarah Wrightman (1798-1854), a renowned weaver from Lancaster, served to highlight the enduring association between the surname and skilled artisanal work.
Overall, the surname Wrightman encapsulates a rich history rooted in the skilled trades and craftsmanship that were vital to medieval and early modern society. The wealth of historical documentation showcases the legacy of individuals who bore the name and their contributions across generations and regions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Wrightman
Among Census respondents with the surname Wrightman, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (13.5%) and Two or More Races (9.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Wrightman bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2020 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Percentages are shown for every Census year so the breakdown stays comparable over time. When the source file also includes raw headcounts, Name Census shows those alongside the percentages in the legend.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Wrightman surname at the time of the 2020 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White65.8% · 73
- Hispanic or Latino13.5% · 15
- Two or more races9.9% · 11
- American Indian and Alaska Native8.1% · 9
- Black or African American1.8% · 2
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9% · 1
Timeline
Historical Census data for Wrightman
Wrightman appears in 3 published Census surname files: 2000, 2010, 2020. The cards below show how the name's rank and bearer count changed across each release.
2010
#140,157
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 119
-12 bearers (-9.2%)
Per 100,000 0.04
Rank movement Down 18,377 places
2020
#148,665
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 111
-8 bearers (-6.7%)
Per 100,000 0.04
Rank movement Down 8,508 places
| Year | Rank | Count | Per 100K | Count change | Rank change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #121,780 | 131 | 0.05 | First available Census row | First available Census row |
| 2010 | #140,157 | 119 | 0.04 | -12 bearers (-9.2%) | Down 18,377 places |
| 2020 | #148,665 | 111 | 0.04 | -8 bearers (-6.7%) | Down 8,508 places |
For 2020, the Census Bureau published race and Hispanic-origin columns as counts rather than percentages. Name Census converts those counts back into shares so the ancestry section stays comparable with the older surname files.
Year on year
2010 vs 2020 Census
How has the Wrightman surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
20102020
| Metric | 2010 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #140,157 | #148,665 | -6.1% |
| Count | 119 | 111 | -6.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | -7.2% |
Between the 2010 and 2020 Census, the number of Wrightman bearers went from 119 to 111 (-6.7% change). The surname moved down 8,508 positions in the national ranking, going from #140,157 to #148,665.
FAQ
Wrightman surname: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. have the surname Wrightman?
Name Census estimates that about 127 living Americans carry the surname Wrightman. Using the current population baseline, that works out to roughly 1 in 2,698,853 residents.
How common is Wrightman?
Wrightman ranks #148,665 in the 2020 Census surname tables and is classified on this site as "Very Rare." The Census recorded the name at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, which is about 0 people out of every 100,000.
How many people with this surname were counted in the Census?
The raw 2020 Census file counted 111 people with the surname Wrightman. That is different from the site's living-bearer estimate (127), which projects the surname's present-day count by applying the Census frequency rate to the current U.S. population.
What does 0.04 per 100,000 actually mean?
It is the Census Bureau's normalized frequency measure. A rate of 0.04 per 100,000 means that if you picked a random group of 100,000 U.S. residents, you would expect about 0 of them to have the surname Wrightman.
Has Wrightman become more or less common over time?
Between 2010 and 2020, the surname Wrightman went from 119 recorded bearers to 111. That is a decrease of 8 (-6.7%). In the national ranking it fell from #140,157 to #148,665.
What does the Census say about the background of Wrightman?
Among Census respondents with the surname Wrightman, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (13.5%) and Two or More Races (9.9%). These figures come from the 2020 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Which group reports this surname most often?
White is the largest self-reported group for the surname Wrightman in the 2020 Census, accounting for 65.8% (73 people in the source table).
What is the full ancestry breakdown?
Wrightman appears across multiple self-reported groups in the Census data. The largest shares in the 2020 file are White (65.8%), Hispanic (13.5%), Two or More Races (9.9%). For 2020, the source file also published raw headcounts for each group, which is why this page can show both percentages and counts in the ancestry section.
Is this page using the latest Census data?
Yes. This page is using the latest surname file currently loaded on Name Census, which is 2020. The historical section above also keeps any older Census surname entries we have for Wrightman (2000, 2010, 2020).
Does the Census include every surname?
No. The Census Bureau only publishes surnames that appeared at least 100 times in a given decennial Census. That means very rare surnames are excluded entirely, and a surname can appear in one Census release but disappear from a later one if it falls below the reporting threshold.
Why don't the ancestry percentages always add up to exactly 100%?
There are two main reasons: rounding and suppression. The Census Bureau rounds published values, and it may suppress very small cells to protect privacy. For 2020, the Bureau also published raw group counts rather than direct percentages, so Name Census converts those counts back into shares for comparability across census years.
What does Wrightman mean?
A surname derived from an occupational name for a maker or builder. The fuller origin note on this page goes into more detail.
Where does the surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These files list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2020 Census, along with a count, a per-100,000 rate, and a self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.
How does Name Census estimate living bearers?
For surnames, Name Census does not age cohorts the way it does for first names. Instead, it takes the Census Bureau's published frequency for Wrightman (0.04 per 100,000) and applies that rate to the current U.S. resident population to estimate how many living Americans have the surname today.
How many people are called Wrightman?
For a quick modern take, check how many people are called Wrightman on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.