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

Wurr, 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 Wurr surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wurr in America

Wurr is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wurr surname appeared 103 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 Wurr.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wurr 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 Wurr

The surname Wurr is believed to have originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe, possibly around the medieval period. Its etymology suggests that it may be derived from an old Germanic word or a variant thereof. The precise meaning of the surname is somewhat ambiguous, but it may have connections to the Old High German word wurm, meaning "worm" or "serpent," which could symbolize a fierce or resilient individual. This kind of totemic significance was not uncommon in surnames from that era.

Historical records indicate that the surname Wurr appeared in various forms throughout central and northern Europe. In Germany, it appeared in records dating back to the 13th century, with variations such as Wur and Vuor. Manuscript evidence from towns like Frankfurt and Cologne makes mention of individuals bearing this surname, often associated with trades or occupations. A spelling variant, Wuer, has also been noted in Bavarian records from the early 15th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Hans Wurr, a merchant recorded in Lübeck in 1397. Lübeck, being a central trade hub of the Hanseatic League, would have been a significant place for this surname's early proliferation. Hans Wurr was known for his extensive trade routes that extended into Scandinavia, making the name identifiable in various regional records.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Martin Wurr, a Protestant reformer from the 16th century who actively participated in the Reformation movements in southern Germany. Born in 1512, Martin was a contemporary of Martin Luther and contributed to the dissemination of Protestant ideas through his writings, which were widely circulated during his time.

The surname also made its way into England by the early 17th century, largely due to migration and trade. A notable bearer in this context was Thomas Wurr, recorded as a shipbuilder in London around 1623. His craftsmanship contributed to the expanding naval capabilities of England and his name appears in various ship registries and guild records of the time.

In more recent history, Johannes Wurr, born in 1834 in Bavaria, made significant contributions to the field of botany. His research on Alpine flora earned him recognition within European scientific circles. His extensive herbarium and written works are still referenced by botanists today.

Lastly, Karl Friedrich Wurr, born in 1867, was a notable figure in the realm of engineering. His innovations in mechanical design influenced various aspects of early automotive technology. He held several patents and his work was pivotal during the industrial boom of late 19th century Germany.

The surname Wurr, though not widely common, has appeared through various histories and regions, often carried by individuals who made significant contributions to their respective fields or communities. The name carries a rich amalgamation of linguistic roots and historical significance, marking its place in the annals of European heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wurr

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

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

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

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