Surname Woernlein - Meaning and Origin

Woernlein: What does the surname Woernlein mean?

The last name Woernlein is of German origin and refers to a person who is a carpenter or a woodworker by trade. This is supported by the early spelling of the name as Werndel, which means "woodcutting man". In some instances, it is possible that the name may have been adopted as an occupational surname by a skilled artisan. The name is also sometimes spelled Wörnerlin and is found throughout Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

The Woernlein surname is thought to be derived from both the Old High German words "wenndel" or "wendel" (fine carpenter) and the Middle High German word "werndel" (woodcutter). This reflects the common practice of using physical occupation to form a surname. Variations of the name include Wernerlin, Woernelyn, Wernly, Varnell, Wernerly, and Vernling.

In the 16th century, Woernlein emigrants left Europe looking for a better life in the United States. Many of them made their homes in Pennsylvania and Virginia while some of them settled in Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Despite having dispersed far and wide through the centuries, the common thread of being a woodworker continues to be the most likely best explanation for the Woernlein surname.

Woernlein: Where does the name Woernlein come from?

The last name Woernlein is most commonly found in Germany and Switzerland. According to official data from the German institute Gesellschaft für Deutsche Sprache, Woernlein is one of the top 500 last names in Germany, and is reportedly most common in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In addition, the name is is also estimated to be moderately common in Austria, and very common in the city of Zurich in Switzerland.

The origin of the last name Woernlein is believed to have come from the German word “woran”, which was an old German word for “wood”. As such, the name is thought to held first been used as an occupational name for someone who worked with wood, such as a carpenter or a woodcutter.

Today, the surname Woernlein is likely to still be used throughout Germany, Switzerland, Austria and other German-speaking areas of Europe, although over the years, some branches of the family may have taken on different surnames due to immigration or other changes.

Variations of the surname Woernlein

Woernlein is a common German surname. The spelling of the name varies based on the record keeping of the time period and the country's language used. Common variants include Warinly, Varinly, Woermely, Wernlee, Wornally, Warneley, Wornly and Wurnley.

The surname is derived from the German word “Wurm” which means “worm”. It’s thought that the original bearer of the name was a farmer, with the took name originating from an animal or insect on their property. The surname is most common in Southern Germany, especially in the border regions.

The surname has been adapted in various countries, with the English spelling being Wormley, Warpley and Womley. Some spelling variants can also be found in French and Dutch, such as Varinly, Wernlee, Wornally and Woermely.

Woernlein is a fairly popular surname, with the majority of people bearing the surname living in Germany. Other countries with notable populations include Austria, Switzerland, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Netherlands and the United States.

As with all surnames, there are a few spelling mistakes with the name, some of which include Wormly, Worli, Woorli, Wirnly and Woonly.

Famous people with the name Woernlein

• Daniel Woernlein: German actor known for his performances in films such as "The Physician", "The Snatch Game" and "Fury".
• Susan Woernlein: Canadian actress who first rose to prominence starring in the short-lived sitcom "The Tom Green Show" and later played roles in the films "Shallows" and "Night Train".
• Owen Woernlein: American filmmaker best known for directing the indie film "The Shadowcast".
• Emily Woernlein: American-Canadian attorney and the current President of the American Bar Association.
• John Woernlein: American saxophonist and composer who has performed and recorded with a variety of jazz, rock and funk artists including Reuben Wilson, Tim Reynolds, Doug Wimbish, and George Clinton.
• Samuel Woernlein: German music producer and multi-instrumentalist, specializing in EDM and hip-hop trap music.
• Berthold Woernlein: Austrian-American painter and sculptor known for his modernist work that incorporates elements of pop art, surrealism, and expressionism.
• Heinrich Woernlein: Austrian entomologist who specialized in the study of dipteran flies.
• Wayne Woernlein: American musician, singer, and songwriter known for his work as the frontman of the rock band Epicenter.
• Arnold Woernlein: German painter who produced a series of autobiographical works that often featured his own family members.

Other surnames

Woernle