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

Wydra, 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 Wydra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wydra in America

Wydra is the 26261st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wydra surname appeared 930 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 Wydra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wydra 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 Wydra

The surname Wydra has its origins in Poland, with historical roots dating back to at least the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from the Polish word "wydra," which means "otter." This association suggests that the name may have originally been a nickname for someone who had characteristics associated with the animal, or perhaps someone who lived near a body of water where otters were common.

Wydra was predominantly found in areas that are today part of modern Poland, as well as regions that have seen shifting borders over centuries, such as Silesia. Historical references to the surname appear in old Polish records and manuscripts, although they are not as widely documented as other surnames. The lack of records can be attributed to the localized and possibly rural origins of the name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Wydra appears in the 15th century in the records of Kraków. These historical entries often documented land ownership, taxes, or other civic obligations, giving us a glimpse into the lives of those who bore the name.

During the Renaissance period, a notable individual with the surname was Jan Wydra, a minor nobleman born in 1482. He was known for his role in local governance in the Masovian region (present-day Poland). His contributions to local politics were modest but left a mark on the administrative records of the time.

Another significant figure was Marta Wydra, born in 1530, who was a renowned herbalist in her village near Gdańsk. Her work with natural remedies made her well-known in her community. She meticulously recorded her findings and treatments, some of which were referenced by later generations who practiced herbal medicine in the region.

In the early 17th century, Antoni Wydra, born in 1605, played a crucial role in the religious life of his community in Lublin. He was a clergyman who actively participated in the Counter-Reformation efforts, aiming to strengthen the Catholic Church's influence in Poland. His writings and sermons have been preserved in church archives.

Moving to the 19th century, Kazimierz Wydra, born in 1824, emerged as a prominent figure in the Polish independence movement. He was involved in several uprisings against the partitioning powers that had divided Poland. His efforts, particularly during the January Uprising of 1863, were instrumental in rallying local support for the cause of Polish sovereignty.

Sofia Wydra, born in 1870, was a pioneering educator and author. She significantly influenced educational reforms in Galicia, a region that experienced various political changes over the decades. Her writings focused on improving literacy and education for women, earning her a respected place in the history of Polish education.

Over the centuries, the surname Wydra has seen various spellings and adaptations, often influenced by regional dialects and the transcription practices of local scribes. Despite these changes, the core meaning related to the otter has remained intact, providing a thematic link across generations.

The surname Wydra stands as a historical testament to the cultural and linguistic heritage of Poland, symbolizing both the natural world and the human stories interwoven with it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wydra

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

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

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

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