Explore the Family Name Wheelhouse
The meaning of Wheelhouse
English (Yorkshire): topographic or occupational name for someone living near or working at a wheelhouse, from Middle English whele ‘wheel’ + hous ‘house’. According to Reaney, the reference is often to a house near a dammed-up stream where a cutler ground his knives on a small water-wheel. The compound is not attested as a vocabulary word in this or any other sense before the 19th century, although the surname William de Whelehous is found in 1379.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Wheelhouse in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname 'Wheelhouse' has moderately decreased from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it ranked 61,855 in terms of popularity, but by 2010, its ranking dropped slightly to 63,218 - a 2.2% decrease. However, the actual count of people with this surname increased by 4.29%, from 303 in 2000 to 316 in 2010. The proportion per 100k remained steady at 0.11 for both years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #61,855 | #63,218 | -2.2% |
| Count | 303 | 316 | 4.29% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Wheelhouse
The Census data also provides insight into the ethnic identity associated with the name 'Wheelhouse'. In both 2000 and 2010, the vast majority of those with this surname identified as White – 97.36% in 2000 and 97.47% in 2010. There was a small increase of 1.58% in the Hispanic population between these years, while the percentage of those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, Two or more races, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native remained at zero.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.36% | 97.47% | 0.11% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 1.58% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |