Origin of the Wilson Surname
The Wilson surname is of English origin (Middle English). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #14 with 801,882 Americans (271.84 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Wilson traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Wilson |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Middle English |
| US Rank (2010) | #14 |
| US Count (2010) | 801,882 |
| Per 100K People | 271.84 |
| First Letter | W |
Ethnic Distribution of Wilson
Among 801,882 Americans named Wilson, the largest self-reported group is White (67.36%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Wilson Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Wilson moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Wilson family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Wilson Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Wilson Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Wilson
- ✓ The Wilson coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Wilson families live today
- ✓ Notable Wilson bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Wilson fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Wilson
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Wilson.
Other English Surnames
Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Wilson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilson
Top Surnames Starting with W
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter W, ranked by population.
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