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

Worthley, 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 Worthley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Worthley in America

Worthley is the 26243rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Worthley surname appeared 931 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 Worthley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Worthley 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 Worthley

The surname Worthley is of English origin, with its roots firmly entrenched in medieval England. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English elements "worth," meaning an enclosure, and "leah," meaning a clearing or meadow. It likely referred to someone who lived near or worked in a valuable clearing or enclosed meadow. The name is locational, meaning it derives from a particular geographical feature or settlement.

Worthley first appears in historical records dating back to the early medieval period, around the 13th century. Variations of the name in old documents include Worthly, Wrothley, and Worthleigh. One of the earliest references can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297, which list a John de Worthlegh, indicating that the surname was already established by that time. This suggests that the name has been in use for at least 700 years.

During the 14th century, the name continues to surface in various documents and records. For example, the Poll Tax records of 1379 list a Richard de Worthlegh in Yorkshire. The worth element in the name suggests a place of value or importance, which was significant during a time when land and agricultural productivity were crucial to social status and survival.

The Worthley name can also be traced through the changing spellings of town names and estates. For instance, ancient settlements named Worthleigh in Devon and Worthlegh in Worcestershire reflect the name's spread across England. Both districts had landowners during the early medieval period who likely contributed to the diffusion of the surname.

One noteworthy individual with this surname is Sir Thomas Worthley, an English knight born in 1412 and recorded in the annals of the Hundred Years' War. He was noted for his service in several key battles and his loyalty to the crown, holding estates in Yorkshire and parts of Warwickshire until his death in 1472.

In the 17th century, the name appears among early American settlers. John Worthley, born in England in 1610, emigrated to the American colonies around 1638, establishing one of the first Worthley families in Massachusetts. His progeny were among the founding families of some Massachusetts towns, showing the name's persistence through generations.

By the 19th century, the surname had spread considerably. William Worthley, born in 1790, achieved prominence as an agricultural reformer in England, advocating for improved farming techniques. His contributions were well documented in agricultural societies and journals of that period.

Another notable Worthley was Charles Frederick Worthley, born in 1870, who became a well-regarded architect in London. His work included several key buildings in the early 20th century, contributing to the architectural landscape of the era. He passed away in 1935, leaving behind a legacy of innovative design.

Thus, the surname Worthley has a rich history dating back centuries, rooted in the landscape of medieval England and evolving through the years across different regions and countries. From old English clearings to modern architectural feats, the name's journey is a testament to the diverse and enduring legacy of the Worthley lineage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Worthley

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

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

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

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