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

Worst, 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 Worst surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worst in America

Worst is the 38484th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worst surname appeared 575 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 Worst.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worst 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 Worst

The surname Worst has its origins in the Low Countries, particularly within regions that are today known as the Netherlands and Belgium. Tracing back to the medieval period, this surname appears to emerge prominently around the 12th and 13th centuries. The name is likely derived from the Middle Dutch word "worst," which translates to sausage, indicating a possible occupational surname for someone who made or sold sausages. This type of surname was quite common in medieval Europe and could also suggest that the family may have been involved in butchery or meat processing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Worst can be found in various historical documents from the 14th century in the Netherlands. For example, there are records of a Jan Worst, a merchant from Amsterdam around 1360. During this period, the use of surnames was becoming increasingly formalized, contributing to the standardized recording of surnames in legal and civic documents.

In examining historical texts, we find references to Willem Worst, a notable figure from the region of Flanders in the early 15th century. Willem was born in 1410 and was known for his involvement in local guilds that regulated trade and craft professions, particularly those connected to meat processing. His leadership within the guild indicates that he was a figure of some prominence in his community.

Moving into the 16th century, the surname appears several times in maritime records. One such example is Pieter Worst, a sailor who served in the Dutch Navy. Born in 1552 in Rotterdam, Pieter's naval service during the Eighty Years' War added a degree of socio-political significance to the family name, linking it to the broader national struggle for independence from Spanish rule.

In artistic circles of the 17th century, we find another notable person named Hendrik Worst. Born in 1605, Hendrik was a well-regarded painter whose works were sought after in Amsterdam's thriving art scene. His contributions to the Dutch Golden Age of painting make his surname prominent in artistic and historical studies of the period.

By the 18th century, the surname had spread beyond the Netherlands into neighboring countries, including areas of modern Germany. An important figure from this era is Johann Worst, born in 1723 and known for his work as a clockmaker in Hamburg. Johann's intricate designs and innovations in horology have ensured that his surname remains associated with craftsmanship and trade skills.

Overall, the surname Worst has a rich tapestry of historical references, tied closely with trades and professions that were vital to everyday life in medieval and early modern Europe. Its appearances in guilds, maritime logs, and artistic records provide a multifaceted insight into the historical context and the individuals who carried this name through various epochs.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worst

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

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

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

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