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

Worrel, 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 Worrel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worrel in America

Worrel is the 43885th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worrel surname appeared 491 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 Worrel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worrel 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 Worrel

The surname Worrell is of English origin and hails primarily from the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name is derived from a geographical location, most likely stemming from a village named Worral or Worrall. The name Worral itself is derived from Old English elements: "wer," meaning a weir or a dam, and "halh," meaning a nook or a recess in the land.

The earliest uses of the surname likely appear in the 12th or 13th centuries. A figure of historical note is Robert de Worral, who is mentioned in the Yorkshire tax records of 1379. This instance provides one of the earliest recorded uses of the surname in its near-modern form. The evolution from de Worral to Worrell reflects common changes in English surnames where "de" (of) was eventually dropped, and spelling variations were standardized over time.

Another notable figure is John of Worrall, who lived during the early 14th century and is recorded as having contributed provisions to religious houses in Lancashire. His contributions are noted in the ecclesiastical records of the diocese. Over time, Worrall appeared in various legal documents, indicating the residents' involvement in local governance and agrarian society.

Matthew Worrell, born in 1456, served as a steward to the Earl of Derby. His detailed accounts, preserved in family and regional archives, provide valuable insight into the way of life and the responsibilities bestowed upon those bearing the surname. This presence at the Earl’s court marks an elevation in the social standing of the Worrell family during the late medieval period in England.

In the 16th century, Thomas Worrell, born in 1534, is mentioned in court rolls as a yeoman of Lancashire. Court records from this period frequently mention the Worrell family in relation to land disputes and tenures, reflecting their connection to the land and significance in local agrarian culture.

By the 17th century, the Worrell surname had spread further afield. Records show a Richard Worrell, born in 1598, who emigrated to America, settling in Virginia in 1622. His arrival and subsequent documentation in colonial records illustrate the geographical dispersion and adaptation of the family name outside of England.

Throughout centuries, the Worrell surname has been borne by numerous individuals of notable merit. Thomas Worrell, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, distinguished himself during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, having been born in 1648 and serving with distinction until his death in 1703.

In summary, the Worrell surname draws from specific geographical origins in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Its etymological roots lie in Old English, and it has a rich history documented through various medieval records, landholdings, and notable individuals, reflecting its evolution and dispersion through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worrel

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

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

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

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