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

Wyllie, 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 Wyllie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wyllie in America

Wyllie is the 18311th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wyllie surname appeared 1,514 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 Wyllie.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wyllie 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 Wyllie

The surname Wyllie finds its origins in Scotland, a land rich with a diverse history interwoven with Norse, Gaelic, and Pictish influences. Its earliest roots can be traced back to the Lowlands, particularly in areas such as Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, and Lanarkshire. The name Wyllie is generally considered to derive from the Old English word wil, which means "will" or "desire." It might also relate to the Old Germanic name Willahelm, composed of the elements willa (will or desire) and helm (helmet or protection).

Historical records indicate different spellings and variations of the surname over the centuries. Early forms such as Wily and Willey appear in various manuscripts. The first recorded instance of the surname Wyllie dates back to the early 14th century. One of the earliest references is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a person named Alexander Wilye is noted as swearing allegiance to Edward I of England, a significant historical document reflecting the period of Scottish submission to English rule.

Through the 15th and 16th centuries, the surname Wyllie or its variants appeared in several charters and legal documents. An example is John Wyllye, recorded in 1456, who appeared as a witness in a land transaction in Ayrshire. This period of Scottish history was marked by skirmishes and evolving boundaries, which contributed to the spread and variations of the surname.

One notable figure with the surname was Peter Wyllie (1530-1597), a merchant from Dumfriesshire, who played a significant role in the local trade of wool and other textiles. The Wyllie family name continued to grow in prominence, and another notable figure was Rev. William Wyllie (1679-1752), a respected clergyman in the Church of Scotland known for his sermons and contributions to theological discourse.

In the 19th century, the surname became more recognizable globally, with several individuals bearing the name gaining prominence. Andrew Wyllie (1838-1900) was a noted Scottish botanist who made substantial contributions to the understanding of plant physiology. Additionally, William Lionel Wyllie (1851-1931), an English painter of maritime themes, left a lasting legacy with his evocative and historically rich depictions of naval scenes.

The surname Wyllie carries a historical depth that reflects the journeys and contributions of individuals over centuries. The stories of these people, from early Scottish records to notable figures in various fields, weave a narrative of will and perseverance deeply embedded in this distinguished surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wyllie

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

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

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

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