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

Wuest, 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 Wuest surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wuest in America

Wuest is the 16707th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wuest surname appeared 1,713 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Wuest.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wuest 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 Wuest

The surname Wuest is of German origin, believed to have emerged during the medieval period, likely around the 13th or 14th century. It is most commonly associated with regions in southwestern Germany, particularly the areas of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. The name appears to be derived from the Middle High German word "wueste," which means "desolate" or "waste," and was probably used to describe someone who lived on or near a barren area. Variations of the surname include Wüst and Wueste.

Records indicate that the surname Wuest appeared in various historical documents throughout the centuries. In the 14th century, the name Wüst was recorded in the South German clerical and land charters, suggesting that it had been adopted by families settled in rural localities that matched the meaning of the term. The name gradually spread as individuals moved and records became more common.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Wuest appears in the parish records of Baden-Württemberg in the mid-1500s. Johann Wuest, born in 1542 and noted as a local landholder, is one prominent figure. His records indicate his presence in the ecclesiastical entries related to land disputes and tithes.

Moving forward to the 17th century, another notable individual bearing the surname was Philipp Wuest, born in 1610, a merchant in the city of Mainz. Records from this period show Philipp's involvement in the local trade guilds and highlight the growing presence of the Wuest family in urban centers.

In the 18th century, Anna Maria Wuest, born in 1730, became known for her charitable work. Living in the town of Speyer, she was noted for her efforts in supporting local orphanages and contributing to the establishment of schools. Anna Maria's legacy is well-documented in the town's communal records, signifying her impact on society.

An important figure from the 19th century was Karl Wuest, born in 1825. Serving as a notable industrial entrepreneur in the developing railway industry, Karl played a significant role in the industrialization of southwestern Germany. His contributions to railway development are extensively chronicled in industrial histories and municipal archives.

Another historical figure is Hermann Wuest, born in 1889 in Stuttgart. As a prominent mathematician, Hermann made substantial contributions to the field of theoretical physics. His work, published in various academic journals in the early 20th century, positioned him among notable scholars of his time.

Through these centuries, the surname Wuest has persisted and evolved, with variations in spelling reflecting regional dialects and linguistic shifts. The name remains a testament to the family’s historical roots in Germany, and the records and achievements associated with it provide a fascinating glimpse into the genealogy and societal contributions of those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wuest

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

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

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

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