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

Wulfing, 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 Wulfing surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wulfing in America

Wulfing is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wulfing surname appeared 127 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 Wulfing.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wulfing 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 Wulfing

The surname Wulfing has its roots in Germanic traditions, originating primarily in the medieval regions that now comprise modern-day Germany. The name's etymological roots trace back to the Old High German word "wolf," which translates to "wolf" in English. Adding the suffix "-ing," a common Germanic practice denoting "belonging to," the name Wulfing essentially means "descendant of the wolf" or "belonging to the wolf," a reflection of the animal's symbolic significance in ancient Germanic culture as a symbol of strength, courage, and nobility.

The Wulfing name appears in historical texts dating as far back as the early Middle Ages. It is particularly noteworthy in the context of old Germanic tribal hierarchies and noble lineages. For instance, a tribe known as the Wulfinga is briefly mentioned in the writings of medieval chronicler Widukind of Corvey, dating to the 10th century. Widukind's chronicles, written in the 930s, describe the Wulfinga as a powerful clan located in Saxony, thereby situating the historical roots of the surname in this region.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Wulfing in historical documents dates back to the 12th century with the mention of a nobleman named Dietrich Wulfing. Dietrich was known for his participation in local governance and military campaigns. He lived in the area near present-day Hanover, and records indicate he was active around 1140 to 1170. His contributions to his community are noted in local monastery records, where he made several land donations to religious institutions.

Another historically significant figure bearing the name was Heinrich Wulfing, a noted jurist and advisor to the Holy Roman Emperor during the late 14th century. Born circa 1360 and passing in 1425, Heinrich's legal expertise and counsel were highly valued at the imperial court, marking him as a prominent intellectual of his time. His legal writings and decisions were influential in shaping the laws of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the realm of the arts, the name Wulfing also appears. Edelgard Wulfing, a famous medieval poetess, gained prominence for her lyrical compositions and courtly love poems during the late 13th century. Her poems, often reflecting the social and romantic norms of her time, are preserved in various manuscripts, providing a glimpse into the cultural milieu of medieval Germany.

From an ecclesiastical perspective, Bishop Wulfing of Passau held significant authority in the early 13th century. He was instrumental in several ecclesiastical reforms from 1215 to 1233, aligning the diocese more closely with the directives of the Fourth Lateran Council. His leadership and policies had long-standing repercussions in the region’s religious affairs.

Finally, the name Wulfing also appears in trade and commerce. Hans Wulfing was a notable merchant in the Hanseatic League during the 15th century, known for his extensive trade networks across the Baltic region. Born in 1410 and living until 1485, Hans’ economic influence and successful ventures in trade illustrate the reach and prominence of individuals carrying the Wulfing surname in historical mercantile activities.

The surname Wulfing, with its Germanic origins and historical prominence, paints a vivid picture of influence through various facets of medieval life, from nobility and legal influence to poetic contributions and commercial success.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wulfing

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

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

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

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