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

Worch, 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 Worch surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worch in America

Worch is the 71265th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worch surname appeared 274 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 Worch.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worch 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 Worch

The surname Worch is thought to have originated in Germany, specifically during the medieval period. The name likely stems from the Middle High German word "wörz," meaning "root" or "spice," which could suggest an occupational origin, possibly denoting someone who was involved in the spice trade or herbalism. The regions of Thuringia and Saxony are particularly noted for early records of the surname, indicating these areas as key origins.

A notable historical reference to the name Worch appears in the 14th century manuscripts from Saxony. Records from the town of Wurzen, close to Leipzig, show a family named Worch involved in local trade and religious communities. This suggests that the name had established itself within certain civic circles by this time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Worch is Heinrich Worch, a merchant born in 1382 in Leipzig, who is documented in trade records of the time as a significant figure in the import of spices and herbs from Baltic trade routes. His name appears in town archives dating back to 1421, detailing his contributions to local commerce and trade networks.

In the 16th century, another prominent bearer of the Worch surname was Anna Worch, born in 1528 in Thuringia. She is noted in ecclesiastical records for her extensive charitable works and involvement with the Lutheran church during the Protestant Reformation. Her death in 1581 led to a significant endowment to the church in her name, cementing the Worch name in regional history.

Moving into the 18th century, Johannes Worch, born in 1703 in Dresden, was a noted composer and organist. His works contributed to church music in the region, and he was well-respected in musical circles of his time. His legacy continued through his students, one of whom was a significant figure in the musical developments leading up to the Classical period.

In the 19th century, Friedrich Worch, a scientist born in 1820, made important contributions to the field of botany. His research on plant roots and their medicinal properties is still referenced in botanical studies today. His work earned him a place in several scholarly societies, and his extensive writings were published posthumously after his death in 1885.

Another notable figure is Karl Worch, a German painter around the turn of the 20th century, born in 1872 in Berlin. Known for his impressionistic landscapes, his works are displayed in several European art galleries, and his influence on early 20th-century German art is well documented. His artistic career extended until his death in 1935, during which he received several accolades for his artistic contributions.

The surname Worch, though not prevalent, has been borne by individuals who left significant marks in their respective fields, establishing a lasting legacy throughout history. By understanding the origins and notable historical figures associated with the surname, one can appreciate the depth and cultural significance of the Worch name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worch

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

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 Worch 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 Worch 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 Worch was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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