Worship last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Worship

A surname denoting someone whose ancestors worked as a minister or priest.

Worship, 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 Worship surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worship in America

Worship is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worship surname appeared 107 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 Worship.

The history of the last name Worship

The surname Worship is of English origin, emerging during the medieval period. It primarily hails from the southern and eastern parts of England. The name is thought to derive from the Old English word "weorðscipe," which means "worthiness" or "honor." This word is a combination of "weorð," meaning "worthy," and "scipe," a suffix indicating quality or condition, essentially translating to "worthship."

Old records show the presence of the name in written form as early as the 13th century. One of the earliest documented references to the surname can be found in county records from Suffolk around 1273, where a James Worship was recorded. By this time, the name was well-established in the local communities, particularly among individuals holding certain social standings or reputations for their honorability.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, various spellings such as Wurship and Worcshyp appeared in manuscripts and legal documents. For instance, a Robert Worship was listed in the Poll Tax returns of Yorkshire in 1379, indicating the widespread geographical distribution of the name by this period. The diffusion of the name can be linked to the mobility of families and the social dynamics of medieval England.

In the 16th century, the name Worship further solidified its presence in historical records. One notable figure is Thomas Worship, who lived in the early 1500s, documented in the wills and probate records of London. His prominence was highlighted by his detailed testament, revealing his considerable estate and social influence. This period also saw the shift from regional spellings to a more standardized form.

Another significant individual was John Worship, recorded in Chester in the late 17th century. His involvement in local governance and public service illustrates the continued association of the name with positions of respect and duty. His descendants maintained the surname, carrying forward its historical legacy into subsequent generations.

Several members of the Worship family gained recognition in various fields over the centuries. Edward Worship, an 18th-century clergyman, made contributions to religious and educational reforms. Elizabeth Worship, born in the 1730s, became known for her philanthropic activities in northern England, supporting numerous charitable causes.

In summary, the surname Worship has a rich history rooted in the concept of honor and worthiness. Its appearance in medieval records, along with the social standing of individuals like James Worship, Thomas Worship, John Worship, Edward Worship, and Elizabeth Worship, reflects the enduring legacy of the name across centuries. The surname continues to symbolize respect and integrity within its historical context.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worship

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

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 Worship was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only 94.39% 101
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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.

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

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

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"Worship last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/worship-surname-popularity/.

"Worship last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/worship-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Worship last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/worship-surname-popularity/.

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