Explore the Family Name Woolston
The meaning of Woolston
English: 1. from the Middle English personal name Wol(f)stan (Old English Wulfstān, composed of the elements wulf ‘wolf’ + stān stone). 2. habitational name from Wolston (Warwickshire), Woolstone (Buckinghamshire), or any of various places called Woolston, such as Woolston in West Alvington (Devon), Woolston in Warrington (Lancashire), and Woolston Hall in Chigwell (Essex). The Warwickshire placename derives from the Old English personal name Wulfrīc (genitive Wulfrīces) + Old English tūn ‘farmstead, estate’. The Buckinghamshire placename derives from the Old English personal name Wulfsige + tūn. The Devon placename probably has the same etymology as the Buckinghamshire placename. The Lancashire placename derives from the Old English personal name Wulf (genitive Wulfes) + tūn. The Essex placename derives from the Old English personal name Wulfhelm (genitive Wulfhelmes) + tūn. There may have been some confusion with Wollaston.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Woolston in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Woolston has seen a slight decrease in rank from 22,555 in 2000 to 23,084 in 2010, corresponding to a change of -2.35%. Despite the drop in rank, the count of individuals bearing the Woolston surname increased by 4.04% in the same period, growing from 1,064 in 2000 to 1,107 in 2010. The proportion per 100k observed a minor reduction of -2.56%, moving from 0.39 in 2000 to 0.38 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #22,555 | #23,084 | -2.35% |
| Count | 1,064 | 1,107 | 4.04% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.39 | 0.38 | -2.56% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Woolston
The Woolston surname's ethnic identity as recorded in the Decennial U.S. Census shows an interesting shift over the decade. While the dominant ethnicity remains white (with a slight decrease from 97.56% in 2000 to 95.75% in 2010), other ethnicities have seen significant increases. The Asian/Pacific Islander representation nearly doubled, rising from 0.47% in 2000 to 0.90% in 2010, reflecting a 91.49% change. Those identifying with two or more races rose from 0.94% to 1.54%, a 63.83% change. Hispanic representation also grew from 0.75% to 1.26%, marking a 68% increase. However, there were no changes in Black, American Indian and Alaskan Native categories, remaining at 0% each in both the 2000 and 2010 census.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.56% | 95.75% | -1.86% |
| Two or More Races | 0.94% | 1.54% | 63.83% |
| Hispanic | 0.75% | 1.26% | 68% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.47% | 0.9% | 91.49% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |