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

Worrall, 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 Worrall surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worrall in America

Worrall is the 15551st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worrall surname appeared 1,881 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Worrall.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worrall 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 Worrall

The surname Worrall originates from England, with its roots deeply embedded in the Old English language. The name is believed to have been geographically inspired, deriving from the Old English words "wor" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement" and "halh" meaning "nook" or "corner." This etymology points to the name representing someone who lived near or in a settlement at a corner of land or an enclosed area.

Worrall is first traced to the counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. Old records from these regions include various spellings such as Worral, Worrall, and Worall, which highlight the phonetic variations before standardized spelling was adopted. The name appears in medieval manuscripts, affirming its presence in these areas since at least the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Thomas de Worrall, who is mentioned in the "Assize Rolls" for Cheshire in 1287. This document indicates that Thomas was involved in legal proceedings during that period, emphasizing the established use of the name by the 13th century.

Another historical reference appears in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire dated 1379, where a Johannes Worrall is listed. This form of taxation required the listing of householders, and Johannes' inclusion provides another instance of the surname in use during the late medieval period.

In addition to these records, the village of Worrall in South Yorkshire might have contributed to the perpetuation of the surname. The locality further affirms the geographic nature of the surname, with the village's name likely influencing or being influenced by the family name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname. Sir Alfred Worrall (1869-1923) was an Englishman known for his contributions to engineering and industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Another significant bearer of the name was George Worrall, a famed 18th-century cartographer whose detailed maps of Cheshire contributed immensely to the understanding of the area.

The name also appears in artistic circles; painter Harry Worrall (1894-1979) made a name for himself in the early 20th century with his distinctive landscape paintings. Meanwhile, in the realm of politics, Sarah Worrall, active in the late 19th century, was a pioneering figure in the women's suffrage movement in England, advocating vigorously for women's rights.

By the time of the English Renaissance, William Worrall, a religious scholar born in 1570 and deceased in 1641, had made significant contributions to theological debates and publications of that era, leaving a marked influence on the religious discourse of his time.

Through diverse representations in legal, geographical, intellectual, and artistic records, the surname Worrall showcases a rich tapestry of history and significant societal contributions across centuries. Its origins in local English topography and the notable individuals connected to the name reflect the enduring heritage and varied impact of Worrall throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worrall

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

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

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

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