Explore the Family Name Wilford
The meaning of Wilford
1. English (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire): habitational name from either of two places called Wilford, in Nottinghamshire and Suffolk, both probably named with an Old English wilig ‘willow tree’ + Old English ford ‘ford’. 2. Americanized form of German Wilfert.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Wilford in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Wilford experienced a slight decline between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 11,003, but by 2010 it had dropped in rank to 11,279, showing a decrease of 2.51%. However, the total count of individuals with this surname increased from 2,651 in 2000 to 2,801 in 2010, reflecting a rise of 5.66%. The proportion per 100,000 people also saw a small drop, moving from 0.98 in 2000 to 0.95 in 2010, marking a 3.06% decrease.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #11,003 | #11,279 | -2.51% |
| Count | 2,651 | 2,801 | 5.66% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.98 | 0.95 | -3.06% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Wilford
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Wilford also changed over the decade as reported by the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, the majority of those with the Wilford surname identified as White (59.60%), followed by Black (34.78%). By 2010, these groups experienced changes with the percentage of White individuals dropping to 54.91%, while the Black population rose to 36.77%. The Hispanic group saw significant growth, increasing by 58.37% to account for 4.07% of the Wilford population. The group identifying with two or more races also notably increased by 63.54%, making up 3.14% of those with the surname in 2010. Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native groups saw minor changes, with the former experiencing an 18.87% decline and the latter seeing a 13.33% increase.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 59.6% | 54.91% | -7.87% |
| Black | 34.78% | 36.77% | 5.72% |
| Hispanic | 2.57% | 4.07% | 58.37% |
| Two or More Races | 1.92% | 3.14% | 63.54% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.6% | 0.68% | 13.33% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.53% | 0.43% | -18.87% |