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

Worl, 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 Worl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worl in America

Worl is the 68122nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worl surname appeared 289 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 Worl.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worl 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 Worl

The surname Worl is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon regions of England, specifically during the early medieval period, around the 8th to 9th centuries. The name is thought to come from the Old English word "weoruld" or "woruld," which means "world" or "life," reflecting a deep cultural connection to the natural or spiritual world of that period. The areas where the name first emerged were likely pastoral and agrarian communities where such connections were highly valued.

Early records of the name Worl are scarce but notable. One of the oldest references can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where variations of the name such as "Weruld" or "Worolde" were mentioned in the context of land holdings and tenancies. This historical manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides invaluable insight into the spread and status of early surnames including Worl. Records from the Domesday Book indicate that the name was present in areas such as Norfolk and Suffolk.

The earliest recorded example of the surname in a verifiable context comes from a parish register in 1327, where a John de Worl is listed as a taxpayer in the Subsidy Rolls of that year. The 'de' in his name indicates that Worl may have originally been a toponymic surname, referring to a specific location or geographical feature.

Another significant historical figure bearing the name is Thomas Worl, a merchant in London whose business transactions are documented in the late 15th century, around 1485. His involvement in the burgeoning trade markets of London showcases the surname's presence in urban as well as rural settings.

By the 1600s, records show a Philip Worl, born in 1603, who was involved in the early English colonial activities in America. His travels and subsequent settlements are documented in ship manifests and colonial records, shedding light on the migration and spread of English surnames across the Atlantic.

In the domain of literature, the name appears in the 1660 writings of Samuel Pepys, who makes a passing reference to a Captain Edward Worl, indicating the presence of the name in the naval circles of 17th century England. This adds a layer of social and professional dimension to the history of the surname.

One more notable individual was Sir Robert Worl, born in 1715 and known for his involvement in the political scene during the reign of King George II. His contributions to local governance and the arts highlight the surname's linkage with public service and culture during this period.

Overall, the surname Worl has navigated through centuries of English history, evolving in form and meaning, yet always retaining a connection to its ancient roots. This rich historical tapestry showcases the enduring legacy and wide-ranging impact of the name across different facets of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worl

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

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

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

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