Surname Woerly - Meaning and Origin

Woerly: What does the surname Woerly mean?

Woerly is a German surname, historically associated with the nobility of certain German provinces. The meaning of the name is derived from the German words "wer" and "lih," meaning ‘man’ and ‘like’ respectively. Thus, Woerly carries the meaning of ‘manlike’ or ‘manly’, describing someone who was perceived as being brave or courageous.

The name Woerly has a long and proud history in Germany, with the spelling appearing in records as far back as the 11th Century and likely originating even earlier. It has since spread around the world, with variants such as Worley, Werley and Verli being found in various locations.

A large number of notable people have the Woerly surname, including Andreas Woerly, a 16th Century Grandmaster of the Teutonic Knights; Johann Woerly, a 19th Century German-Jewish lithographer; and Fabian Woerly, a 20th Century Swiss composer.

Overall, the surname Woerly is strongly associated with courage, strength and nobility. It has a long and proud history, and has been borne by a variety of people across the centuries.

Woerly: Where does the name Woerly come from?

The last name Woerly is most commonly found in the United States and Switzerland. Its presence is greatest in the US, with the majority of Woerly families living in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is also found in smaller numbers in states like New York and New Jersey.

In Switzerland, the Woerly name is most commonly found in the canton of Zurich, followed by Aargau and Geneva. It is also found in lesser numbers in Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, and other Swiss cantons.

Beyond the US and Switzerland, Woerly families are spread throughout Europe and in other countries around the globe. In the United Kingdom, Woerlys are found mainly in England and Scotland. Elsewhere, they're found in countries such as Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Altogether, the total number of Woerlys in the world is estimated to be under 1,000. As a result, the surname is considered to be uncommon and fairly rare.

Variations of the surname Woerly

Woerly is a spelling variant of the German surname Wörl or Woerl. The GeoNames Database records Woerly as an alternate name for Wiler, Switzerland, an alpine village in Valais Canton.

The spelling variations of Woerly include Woerl, Woerle, Woerlee, Woerli, Wörl, Wörli, and Wörle. In addition to this, the surname can also be spelt Wöhl, Wohal, Wohll, Wuehl, Wuhl, Wurli, Wurl, and Wurle. In some cases, the spelling Woerly is derived from the Low German, or Plattdeutsch, although this is less common.

Surnames of the same origin as Woerly include Werley, Werly, Wirly, Waller, Walter, Weller, Welle, Wehle, Weiler, Wiler, and Werle. These surnames are derived from the medieval German personal name Wilder or Willer. Both of these names are derived from the Germanic word 'wild', meaning 'wild' or 'untamed'. This name was used as a descriptive name for someone who caused trouble or behaved in a wild manner.

Overall, the surname Woerly is derived from the German forms of Wilder or Willer, and it can be spelt in various variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Woerly

• Jay Woerly: a dancer, choreographer, and former All-Star New York Knicks dunk artist.
• Bob Woerly: American football coach and administrator.
• Robert Woerly: 20th-century American painter and sculptor.
• Angela Woerly: a Scottish operatic mezzo-soprano singer.
• Johann Woerly: an Austrian composer and conductor.
• Alex Woerly: a Swiss professional downhill mountain biker.
• Clarence Woerly: a 19th-century French engineer.
• Donald Woerly: a contemporary American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer.
• Kit Woerly: an American writer and activist.
• Niklaus Woerly: a Swiss tag rugby player.
• Sal Woerly: an American basketball coach.
• Werner Woerly: a German sculptor and photographer.

Other surnames

WoerlWoerleWoerlein