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

Worm, 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 Worm surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worm in America

Worm is the 23978th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worm surname appeared 1,052 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 Worm.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worm 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 Worm

The surname Worm has its origins in Europe, specifically in the regions that now constitute Germany. It dates back to the medieval period, with early mentions occurring around the 12th century. The name is believed to have locational roots, deriving from places named Worms in Germany. The city of Worms, one of the oldest cities in Germany, likely played a significant role in the emergence of this surname.

The name itself is linked to the Old High German word “wurma” and the Old English “wyrm,” both of which mean “serpent” or “dragon.” These words reflect ancient mythological and natural imagery, suggesting that the name Worm might have initially described someone living near a place with such a name or someone known for characteristics attributed to serpents or dragons.

Historical records indicate early mentions of the surname Worm in official documents and manuscripts. For instance, there are references to the name in medieval German texts. One of the earliest recorded examples is from the 13th century, where a Heinrich Worm is listed as a landowner in the Rhineland area. Manuscripts from the period also mention an Otto Worm, who held a minor ecclesiastical office around the late 1200s, illustrating the name's spread and prominence.

Over the centuries, the surname Worm evolved slightly in spelling and usage. For instance, place names such as Worms in Germany contributed substantially to the surname's perpetuation. Another notable figure is Georgius Worm, an early 16th-century scholar born in 1505 and known for his work in classical studies and history. He significantly contributed to the humanist movements of his time, passing away in 1553.

Further into history, the surname appears in various European regions, indicating its spread beyond Germany. One renowned individual is Olaus Worm, a Danish physician born in 1588 who became famous for his contributions to science and medicine before his death in 1654. His work in natural history and antiquities earned him a place in the annals of European scholarly history.

In the 18th century, another prominent name bearer is Friedrich Worm, a military officer born in 1732. His career in the Prussian army during the period of Frederick the Great illustrates the continuance of the name into military and noble contexts. His death is recorded in 1791.

A 19th-century figure, Carl Worm, born in 1803, was an influential industrialist in the burgeoning era of industrialization in Germany. His advancements in manufacturing and engineering mark a significant chapter in the history of the name. He passed away in 1878.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Worm has been borne by various individuals spanning different fields, from scholars and military officers to industrialists, reflecting the diverse contributions of people with this name to European history. The name's etymology and historical context provide a fascinating glimpse into its origins and evolution over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worm

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

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

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

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