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

Words, 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 Words surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Words in America

Words is the 113155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Words surname appeared 155 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 Words.

We can also compare 2010 data for Words 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 Words

The surname Words traces its origins to England, with its earliest roots dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English word "weord," which means "worthy" or "honor." It is likely that the surname was initially a descriptive epithet for someone considered honorable or of high status within the community. The surname Words appears primarily concentrated in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, and records suggest the name was more prevalent in these northern regions during the Middle Ages.

Historical references to the surname Words can be found in various medieval records and manuscripts. One of the earliest mentions dates back to the 13th century in the Curia Regis Rolls, a judicial record from 1246, where one William de Words is listed. This early occurrence indicates that the name had been in use for some time before its recording, suggesting its establishment in the region.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Words points to a John Words, born around 1320, who is noted in the Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, a crucial document that assessed taxes during Richard II's reign. Another historical figure bearing the surname is Thomas Words, who lived during the late 15th century and is documented as a landowner in Lancashire. His land transactions were recorded in the Feet of Fines, a collection of agreements over land and property disputes.

The spelling of the surname has remained remarkably consistent over the centuries. However, variations such as Wards and Wordes appear in some historical documents, suggesting regional pronunciation differences or clerical errors in record-keeping. Place names such as Wordsworth in Cumbria also show the etymological connection and hint at the spread of the surname.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Words are George Words, born in 1580, who was a prominent merchant in London. His business dealings were documented in the London Port Records, detailing the import and export of goods. Another significant person is Elizabeth Words, a 17th-century poet whose works are preserved in a collection of English verse from 1650. Her literary contributions highlight the cultural presence of the surname in the arts.

In the 18th century, we find Richard Words, an influential political figure who served as a Member of Parliament for a district in Yorkshire. His speeches and political actions are recorded in the Parliamentary Archives. John Words, born in the early 19th century, is another noteworthy individual, recognized for his contributions to agricultural advancements in Lancashire, with his research published in several agricultural journals of the time.

The surname Words, with its deep historical roots and presence in various records over the centuries, reflects a legacy of honor and respectability. The name has been associated with people of noteworthy status and contributions to their respective fields, solidifying its place in the annals of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Words

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

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

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

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