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

Wyler, 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 Wyler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wyler in America

Wyler is the 31754th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wyler surname appeared 727 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 Wyler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wyler 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 Wyler

The surname Wyler is of Germanic origin and dates back to the early medieval period. It is most commonly associated with Switzerland and Germany, particularly in regions such as Bern and the Rhineland. The name is likely derived from the Middle High German word "wiler" or "weiler," meaning a small village or hamlet. It often indicated someone who lived in or was associated with a small settlement.

One of the earliest references to the name appears in medieval records from the 13th century in Switzerland. Historical documents indicate that the name was used to describe families living in small rural communities. Variations in the spelling can be noted in different regions, such as Wiler, Weiler, and Wyler, all of which share a similar etymological root. The name's presence in old records reflects its popularity in areas characterized by small farming communities.

A well-documented instance of the Wyler surname appears in the Bernese chronicles of the 14th century, where Hans Wyler is recorded as a landowner. By the 15th century, the name had spread to southern Germany. Records from a 1492 Bavarian census list a Peter Wyler as a farmer, illustrating the occupational association with agriculture.

The surname makes an appearance in literary references as well. In the 17th century, Johann Wyler is mentioned in documents related to the Thirty Years' War, indicating his involvement as a local militia leader in the Rhineland region. This period was crucial for the dissemination of the surname as individuals moved to various parts of Europe due to the upheavals of war.

By the 19th century, the Wyler name had become recognized beyond regional boundaries. One notable figure is William Wyler, born in 1902 in Mulhouse, Alsace, which was then part of Germany. He later moved to the United States and became a renowned film director, contributing significantly to American cinema with classics such as Ben-Hur and Roman Holiday before passing away in 1981.

Another significant person with the surname is Alfred Wyler, born in 1858 in Zurich. He was a prominent engineer who contributed to the construction of Swiss railways, playing a vital role in the modernization of the country's infrastructure until his death in 1927.

In the realm of academics, Ernst Wyler, born in 1874 in Basel, made significant contributions to the study of classical languages and literature. His scholarly works were well-regarded until his passing in 1943, marking a substantial intellectual legacy.

Political history also records a notable figure in Otto Wyler, who served as a member of the Swiss Federal Assembly in the late 19th century. His influence in shaping early Swiss political discourse remains a testament to his impact until his death in 1905.

The etymological journey of the Wyler surname reflects a rich tapestry of agricultural roots, historical occurrences, and prominent individuals who have carried the name through centuries. The surname continues to be a marker of a long and varied heritage originating in the heartlands of German-speaking Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wyler

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

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

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

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