Whorf
A surname of English origin meaning "Wharf-dweller" or someone living near a harbor or wharf.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Whorf. That puts it at #117,480 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Whorf surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#117,480
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
148
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 148 bearers of the surname Whorf in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 117480th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Whorf, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.3%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Whorf
The surname Whorf is believed to have originated from England, with its earliest known records dating back to the medieval period, roughly around the 12th century. The name is thought to derive from the Old English word "weorþ," meaning "enclosure" or "homestead," and could have been used to denote someone who lived or worked near an enclosure or a notable homestead.
One of the first documented instances of the surname Whorf appears in ancient parish records and land grants from Yorkshire and surrounding counties in the north of England. Variants of the name, such as Wharfe and Warf, appeared in these records. These variants suggest the name could have been influenced by regional dialects and Old Norse language, which was common in the northern parts of England due to Viking invasions.
The name Whorf is also linked to geographical features, particularly bodies of water. The River Wharfe in Yorkshire is a notable place name that shares the same linguistic root. This connection may indicate that some early bearers of the Whorf surname lived near or had occupations related to this river or other similar water-based landmarks.
An early prominent figure with this surname was Richard de Wharfe, an English landholder in the 13th century. His name appears in property transactions and manorial rolls of the time, highlighting the surname's long-standing association with the region.
Another notable individual from history is John Wharfe, a 16th-century merchant who operated in the bustling trade city of York. His commercial activities and contributions to local guilds were well-documented, making him a significant name in local historical records.
Jumping forward to the 19th century, Benjamin Lee Whorf (1897-1941) stands out as a distinguished figure, not from England, but America. His contributions as a renowned linguist, particularly in the areas of linguistic relativity and the study of indigenous languages, brought renewed interest to the surname.
Another noteworthy individual is Arthur R. Whorf, recorded in historical documents from the early 20th century, who was an influential community leader and philanthropist in his local area. His contributions to education and public service were widely acknowledged, leaving a lasting legacy.
Marion Whorf Kelley (1908-2000) also brought the surname into prominence through her work as an author and historian, delving into familial and regional histories. Her published works often explored the origins and lineage of names, including Whorf, providing invaluable insights into genealogical studies.
Throughout history, the surname Whorf has maintained a consistent presence in documentation, reflecting both the geographical and occupational origins that have shaped its legacy.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Whorf
Among Census respondents with the surname Whorf, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.3%.
The bar chart below shows how Whorf bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Whorf surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Whorf surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #117,480 | #117,480 | 0.0% |
| Count | 148 | 148 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Whorf bearers went from 148 to 148 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #117,480 to #117,480.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Whorf
FAQ
Whorf surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Whorf?
The surname Whorf holds position #117,480 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Whorf surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Whorf, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.3%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.