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

Wynia, 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 Wynia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wynia in America

Wynia is the 28241st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wynia surname appeared 847 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 Wynia.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wynia 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 Wynia

The surname Wynia has its origins in the Frisian regions of the Netherlands. The earliest known use of the name dates back to medieval times, specifically around the 12th and 13th centuries. Wynia is derived from the Frisian word "Wyn," which means "friend" or "beloved," and the suffix "ia," which often denotes a place or geographical connection in Frisian and Dutch naming conventions.

Wynia predominantly appeared in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen. The regions are known for their unique culture and language, which has preserved many ancient Germanic elements, contributing to the specific form and meaning of the surname. In historical records, variants like Wyna and Winya can be found, reflecting the fluidity of medieval spelling practices.

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname can be traced back to legal and religious manuscripts from the late Middle Ages. Notably, a document from the mid-14th century listing landowners in Friesland includes the name Wynia. This suggests that the family bearing this name may have held a position of some prominence in their local community.

Among the earliest known individuals with the surname Wynia is Jacobus Wynia, born in 1450 and a notable landholder in the Friesland region. His family records indicate involvement in local governance and agriculture, which were common occupations for Frisian nobility and gentry.

Another significant historical figure is Pieter Wynia, born in 1512, who played a role in the Eighty Years' War between the Dutch provinces and Spain. Pieter Wynia was known for his leadership within the Frisian forces and his efforts to maintain autonomy for his homelands during the conflict.

Resea Wynia, born in 1667, is another prominent bearer of the surname. She was known throughout Friesland for her contributions to local education and was one of the first women to establish a school for young girls in her village, promoting literacy and academic knowledge among the youth.

In the 18th century, Geert Wynia, born in 1723, was a well-known merchant who expanded his business across the North Sea into the British Isles. His trading enterprise had a significant impact on the economic landscape of Friesland, indicating the family's continued influence in regional affairs.

Louw Wynia, born in 1791, is also noteworthy. He was a respected minister in the Reformed Church and known for his theological writings and sermons. His works contributed to religious discourse at a time when the Frisian regions were experiencing significant cultural and religious change.

Over the centuries, the Wynia family has played diverse roles in the social, economic, and cultural life of Friesland, with different members making notable contributions to their communities. The surname continues to hold historical significance in the regions where it originated, representing a rich legacy of friendship, leadership, and community involvement.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wynia

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

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

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

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