Find out how popular the last name Whorley is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Whorley.

Whorley, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Whorley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whorley in America

Whorley is the 22856th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whorley surname appeared 1,120 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Whorley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whorley to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Whorley

The surname Whorley originates from England, where it first appears in historical records dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have developed from the old English words "whor," meaning corner or turn, and "ley," meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests that Whorley was most likely a topographical surname, given to people who lived near a distinctive bend in the landscape or a cleared area in the woods.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Whorley is found in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror, lists a location called "Hwerlei" in the county of York. While not directly spelled as Whorley, it is believed that Hwerlei may have evolved into various spelling forms, including the more modern Whorley.

In the 13th century, the name begins to appear in various tax records and other legal documents. For instance, in 1273, a man named John de Whorleghe is recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire. This points to the possible spread of the surname from its origins and its adaptation to different phonetic variations over time.

The Whorley surname also features in parish records, which became more common by the 16th and 17th centuries. For example, a William Whorley is listed in the baptismal records of St. Mary's Church in London in 1623. Records like these help trace the geographic dispersion of the name and its bearers across England during this period.

Several notable individuals bear the surname Whorley. Joseph Whorley, born in 1745 and died in 1812, was a known farmer and community leader in the Midlands region. His contributions to agricultural development in his area were well-documented in local records. In the 19th century, Emma Whorley, born in 1819, was notable for her work in charitable organizations in London and was mentioned in numerous philanthropic publications of the time.

The name also reached Scotland, where Robert Whorley, a soldier who fought in the Napoleonic Wars, was born in 1783 and died in 1847. His service and dedication earned him mentions in military records and other historical documents.

In conclusion, the surname Whorley has a rich history rooted in medieval England, evolving from old English terms and appearing in significant historical documents. The name spread across the British Isles and has been carried by several notable individuals who contributed to their communities, ensuring its presence in historical records spanning several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whorley

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Whorley.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Whorley was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Whorley has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Whorley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Whorley, please contact us.

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