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

Wunsch, 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 Wunsch surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wunsch in America

Wunsch is the 17586th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wunsch surname appeared 1,598 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 Wunsch.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wunsch 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 Wunsch

The surname Wunsch has its origins in Germany, a country with a deep-rooted tradition of family names formed during the Middle Ages. Derived from the Middle High German word Wunsch, meaning "wish" or "desire", the name was often given as a nickname to someone who was a personification of a desire, hope, or aspiration. This etymological origin links the name to sentiments of longing and ambition, a trait perhaps esteemed in the communities where the name first took hold.

The regions where the surname Wunsch was originally found include areas in what is now modern-day Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Saxony. Historical references to the surname can be traced back to several medieval manuscripts. One of the earliest mentions of the name is from the 14th century, with records indicating the presence of a Johannes Wunsch, who lived in Nuremberg. This documentation helps establish the longstanding presence of the name in German-speaking territories.

Old German texts and registers hold numerous instances of the name in various spellings, including Wunscz and Wunsc. These variations in spelling are typical for the time when standardized spelling was rare, and each scribe would render names phonetically. In the 16th century, Hans Wunsch, a notable citizen of Leipzig, appears in civic records, indicating the name's dispersion and establishment in urban environments.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname in official documents provide valuable insights into the lives of individuals bearing the name. For instance, Georg Wunsch (born 1465, died 1521) was a prominent figure in Munich, known for his work as a master craftsman. His reputation and contributions to the craft guilds helped cement the family's status in the region. Similarly, in the 17th century, Heinrich Wunsch (born 1602, died 1673) served as a respected judge in the town of Regensburg, showcasing the name's association with positions of influence and authority.

Another significant bearer of the surname was Friedrich Wunsch, who in the 18th century, gained recognition as a composer and musician in the Habsburg Empire, particularly in Vienna. His works reflected the cultural symbiosis of the time and contributed to the intellectual and artistic milieu of the period. The Wunsch family name thus carries with it a heritage linked to artistry and civic duty.

The name Wunsch continued to appear in records beyond Germany’s borders as migrations occurred over centuries. By the late 19th century, Ludwig Wunsch (born 1821, died 1888), an industrialist, played a key role in the burgeoning industrial society of the German Empire, further embedding the surname in historical and economic contexts.

Tracing the lineage of the Wunsch surname reveals a rich tapestry interwoven with the cultural and social fabric of German history. The significance of the name, rooted in aspirations and desires, alongside its verified historical bearers, paints a vivid picture of its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wunsch

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

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

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

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