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

Wormwood, 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 Wormwood surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wormwood in America

Wormwood is the 58735th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wormwood surname appeared 345 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 Wormwood.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wormwood 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 Wormwood

The surname Wormwood has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English word "wermod," meaning "wormwood," a type of bitter herb. This herb was historically used for medicinal purposes and as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages. The name is thought to have been originally given to someone who lived near a place where wormwood grew abundantly or who dealt with the herb in some capacity, such as an apothecary or herbalist.

Earlier records of the surname Wormwood appear in various medieval manuscripts and local records. One of the earliest references can be found in the Pipe Rolls of 1190, where a certain John Wormwode is mentioned. The name also appears in the Feet of Fines from the 13th century, showing its established presence in medieval England. Variants such as Wermod and Wormwod were also noted in these documents, indicating slight variations in spelling over time.

Historical references show that individuals bearing the surname Wormwood were often associated with specific regions known for their herbal gardens or apothecaries. For instance, the Wormwood family in the county of Norfolk during the 14th century was known for their extensive use of medicinal herbs. The name also appears in the parish registers of Kent in the 16th century, hinting at its spread across different parts of England.

One notable individual is Sir Richard Wormwood, born in 1427 and deceased in 1492, who served as a knight during the Wars of the Roses. Another prominent figure is Nicholas Wormwood, a 17th-century botanist born in 1601 and died in 1665, who contributed to the understanding of herbal medicines in England. Elizabeth Wormwood, an accomplished midwife in the early 18th century, born in 1678 and died in 1743, was known for her knowledge of medicinal herbs.

The Wormwood surname also has an intriguing mention in literature and folklore. In John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," written in 1678, the character Apollyon references wormwood as a symbol of bitterness and affliction. This literary reference perpetuates the association of the name with its herbal connections and its metaphorical implications.

By the 19th century, the surname Wormwood had become less common but retained a legacy in historical documents. Benjamin Wormwood, an English émigré born in 1823 and deceased in 1889, played a significant role in the early settlements in Australia, contributing to the development of herbal medicine in the new colony. His efforts helped establish herbal treatments as a more accepted form of medical practice.

The surname Wormwood, while no longer widespread, carries a rich history tied to the cultural and medicinal uses of the wormwood herb. Its historical significance is documented not only through medieval records but also via its lasting legacy in literature and the contributions of notable individuals who bore the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wormwood

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

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

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

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