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

Wygant, 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 Wygant surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wygant in America

Wygant is the 23817th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wygant surname appeared 1,061 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 Wygant.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wygant 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 Wygant

The surname Wygant has its roots in the linguistic and cultural landscape of Northern Europe, particularly in the Germanic regions. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the name likely derives from Old High German or Middle Dutch, languages known for their robust use of compound names. In these languages, the elements "wig" or "wic" often referred to a warrior, and "ant" could mean an estate or settlement. Therefore, Wygant would broadly translate to "warrior's estate" or "warrior's settlement."

Early records of the name are scarce due to the transmission of oral traditions and the relatively low literacy rates in medieval Europe. By the time written records became more commonplace, variations in the spelling appeared. Documents from the 13th to 15th centuries in what is now modern-day Germany and the Netherlands sometimes feature similar surnames, such as Wiggand or Wiegand, which could be etymologically related to Wygant.

Historical references to this surname appear sporadically in feudal records, land grants, and other administrative documents of the Holy Roman Empire. An early recorded example comes from a manuscript dated to 1295 that mentions a Heinrich Wygand, a landholder in the region of Lower Saxony. This region was known for its fragmented principalities and shifting allegiances, making surnames often more fluid and adaptable over time.

By the 17th century, as the movement of people increased due to trade, warfare, and migration, the name began appearing more frequently in records. The Wygant family appears in early American colonial records, likely having emigrated from Northern Europe. John Wygant, born in 1630 in the Dutch Republic and died in 1708, was one of the early settlers in New Netherland, an area that would later become New York State. This individual is documented in many colonial records, including land deeds and wills, signifying his established presence in the new colony.

Another notable individual was Benjamin Wygant, born in 1758, who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. His contributions are documented in military rolls and pension applications, showing the family’s participation in the formative moments of American history.

In the 19th century, the industrial revolution and the expansion of the United States westward brought the surname to new regions. George Wygant, born in 1831, became a prominent figure in the state of Ohio, contributing to local politics and industry. His obituary in an 1892 Ohio newspaper highlights his contributions to the local community, underscoring the family name's persistence through the generations.

Additionally, historical records from the 18th century mention Maria Wygant, born in 1765 and a notable figure for her charitable work in her local Dutch Reformed Church community in New Jersey. Her legacy is preserved in various community records and church documents.

The Wygant name has thus traversed time from its origins in medieval Northern Europe to becoming a part of the American historical landscape. Each individual bearing the name contributed to its legacy, embedding it within both local and broader historical narratives.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wygant

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

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

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

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