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

Worles, 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 Worles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worles in America

Worles is the 115639th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worles surname appeared 151 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 Worles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worles 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 Worles

The surname Worles is believed to have originated in England, dating back to the medieval period. Its roots appear to intertwine with the Anglo-Saxon culture that dominated England from the 5th to the 11th centuries. The name is predominantly found in the regions of Kent and Sussex, areas known for their rich Saxon heritage.

Etymologically, Worles may derive from the Old English elements weorþ, meaning "worth" or "value," and leas, signifying "meadow" or "clearing." This suggests that the name could have originally described someone who lived near or on valuable or worthy land. Alternative spellings, like Worlis and Worlass, were not uncommon in medieval manuscripts, reflecting the fluid nature of orthography in that era.

Historical references to the surname appear as early as the 13th century. For instance, a John de Worlis is mentioned in a 1273 tax record from Kent, indicating that the family was involved in local tax affairs. This early reference suggests that the family had attained enough prominence to be recorded in governmental documentation.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Thomas Worles, who appears in a 1379 poll tax record from Yorkshire. His presence in the north of England demonstrates the migration and spread of the name over the centuries. The surname also appears in legal documents, such as the testimony of Robert Worles in a 1422 land dispute in Sussex, showing the family's involvement in local landholdings and disputes.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Worles surname. William Worles, born in 1502 in Canterbury, served as a clerk in the local ecclesiastical court and was known for his meticulous record-keeping until his death in 1565. Another significant figure, Martha Worles, born in 1620, was a well-known herbalist in Kent, whose remedies and botanical knowledge were widely respected until her passing in 1690. In the 18th century, Captain Richard Worles, born in 1734, commanded a merchant ship and played a pivotal role in the trade routes between England and the American colonies before his untimely death at sea in 1778.

The surname Worles persists through historical documentation into the 19th century. For example, Sarah Worles, born in 1805, became a prominent social reformer in London, advocating for better labor conditions and women's rights until her death in 1873. Lastly, Edward Worles, born in 1859, made significant contributions to the field of engineering during the Industrial Revolution, earning a reputation for innovation and excellence before his death in 1922.

In conclusion, the surname Worles has a rich and varied history, deeply rooted in England and stretching back to the medieval era. The name's etymology suggests connections to valuable land, and its presence in historical records paints a picture of a family involved in various facets of social, legal, and economic life throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worles

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

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

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

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