Wheeler is an English surname of occupational origin, derived from the Middle English word "wheel," which means "wheel." It was originally given to someone who worked with wheels, such as a wheelwright or a cooper (barrel maker). The name Wheeler has been traced back to at least the 13th century in England.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Wheeler is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were created during an English census ordered by King Edward I. In this record, a John Filler (also spelled as "Fyler" or "Wheeler") was listed in Cambridgeshire, England.
Throughout history, the name Wheeler has been quite popular and has spread across various regions. According to early records, Wheelers were found not only in England but also in Scotland and Ireland. With time, many families with this surname migrated to other parts of the world, such as North America and Australia, where they settled and established new branches of the family.
The name Wheeler has remained relatively common today and can still be found in various countries around the world. Despite its occupational origin, the name Wheeler has not been associated with any specific personality traits or characteristics, but rather stands alone as a unique and distinct surname with a rich history dating back to medieval England.
The name Wheeler has a unique history of usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over time as shown by these statistics.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Wheeler was given to around 5 to 30 babies each year. The highest number of births during this period occurred in 1916, with 41 babies named Wheeler. However, the popularity of the name started to decline after World War I.
In the mid-20th century, the name Wheeler was given to fewer than 10 babies per year on average. The lowest point was reached in 1954, with only 5 births recorded that year. This trend continued until the late 1980s and early 1990s.
However, since then, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Wheeler. From the mid-1990s onwards, the number of babies named Wheeler each year has risen steadily, reaching a peak of 38 births in 2023. This increase in popularity can be attributed to various factors such as cultural influences and personal preferences.
Overall, while Wheeler may not have been one of the most popular names throughout history, its usage has seen several ups and downs, with recent years showing a notable resurgence in its popularity among parents choosing names for their newborns.