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

Worf, 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 Worf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worf in America

Worf is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worf surname appeared 102 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 Worf.

The history of the last name Worf

The surname Worf has its origins in Western Europe, specifically in Germany. The earliest instances of the name date back to the Middle Ages, with most records pointing towards regions such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The name is thought to derive from the Middle High German word "werf," which refers to an enclosure or a small farmstead. This agricultural link is common in medieval surnames as many people were identified by their occupation or the land they worked on.

Historical records indicate the name Worf, initially spelled as Werf or Worf, appeared in various medieval manuscripts. One of the earliest mentions is found in a 14th-century Bavarian tax register, indicating that individuals with the surname were landowners or tenant farmers. The enduring nature of the surname suggests a level of social stability and possibly some degree of local prominence.

The name also seems linked to place names. A small village called Wörf in Germany is one such example; it is debated among historians whether the village was named after a prominent family with the surname or vice versa. Earliest known place references date back to the 13th century, illustrating a long-rooted presence of the name in the area.

One notable figure bearing the surname Worf was Hans Worf, a 15th-century tradesman from Bavaria. Hans was known for his skilled craftsmanship in metalwork and is mentioned in the archives of the City of Munich dated 1483. His work was respected to the extent that local nobility commissioned him, highlighting the social ascension some individuals with the surname could achieve.

Another significant historical figure was Karl Worf, born in 1625 in Württemberg. Karl was a scholar and an author who contributed to early scientific journals of his time, documenting several natural phenomena observed in the Black Forest region. His writings indicated a sharp intellect and contributed to the nascent field of natural science.

Maria Worf, who lived during the 18th century (1742-1810), was an essential figure in the local Bavarian peasantry uprisings. She organized several protests advocating for better working conditions and fairer land distributions, making her a proto-social activist of her time.

Friedrich Worf, born in 1804 and died in 1878, known for his service in the German military during the series of conflicts leading up to the formation of the German Empire in 1871. His documented bravery and leadership made him a celebrated war hero in military annals from that period.

Emilie Worf (1821-1895) was a pioneer in early education and worked tirelessly to improve literacy rates in rural Bavaria. She established several schools and wrote educational literature aimed at both children and adults, reinforcing the value placed on education and literacy by some individuals bearing the surname.

These examples illustrate the Worf surname's historical depth, with its bearers participating in a wide range of societal roles from craftsmen and scholars to military leaders and social activists. Each individual's contributions enriched the cultural and historical fabric of their respective times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worf

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

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 Worf 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.

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

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

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