Surname Wordsworth - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wordsworth: What does the surname Wordsworth mean?
The surname Wordsworth is of Old English origin, derived from a habitational name for a person who hailed from various places that were named Worth or Worð. The word worth or worð in Old English typically meant an enclosed settlement or homestead. However, it may also suggest the person was a guardian of a homestead ('weard' in Old English) or associated with a homestead. The name gained significant recognition due to the renowned English Romantic poet, William Wordsworth. Despite its literal meaning, Wordsworth as a last name doesn't necessarily denote literary or poetic talent, that particular association is influenced more by the famous bearer of the name than by its etymological roots.
Order DNA origin analysisWordsworth: Where does the name Wordsworth come from?
The last name Wordsworth is most commonly seen today in the United Kingdom, especially in England. This is because it was a name borne by the famous English poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850). The surname was likely derived from the old English "Wurthworth," which likely came from a combination of the words "weorth" (meaning "worthy" or "strong") and "worth" (meaning "enclosure" or "dwelling").
Today, the surname is still quite common in England. In 2017, the last name was the 1,119th most popular surname in the country, according to records from the UK Office of National Statistics. Its usage is highest in the counties of Yorkshire, Northumberland and Nottinghamshire.
Outside of England, the surname is also quite commonly found in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and it remains a popular name in many parts of the Commonwealth. According to the online genealogy site Forebears, the top country outside the UK for people with the last name Wordsworth is Canada, followed by New Zealand and Australia.
Overall, the name Wordsworth remains a popular family name today, bearing a proud legacy of a distinguished British heritage and culture.
Variations of the surname Wordsworth
The Wordsworth surname originated from the northern county of Cumberland in England and is derived from two old English words, 'werde' which means 'enclosure' and 'swort' which means 'yard'. It is thought that the name was given to someone who lived in an enclosed yard or even worked in one. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Wordsworth are Wordsorth, Worth, Wordeseworth, Workesworth, Wurtsworth, Wurtscott, Worthen, Worsley and Wortham.
The most common variant of Wordsworth is Wordsorth. This spelling comes from the Old English word "wærð", meaning a "enclosure". Worth is the most common spelling today, and is derived from the same origin. Wordeseworth is another variant, which is a combination of Wordsorth and Worth.
Workesworth is derived from the name Wurts worthy, which is a combination of Wurtscott and Wortham. The origin of the Wurtscott surname is a combination of ‘werde’ which refers to an enclosure, and ‘scott’ which originates from the Old English personal name Scott. Worthen is a variant of Wordsworth and is derived from a combination of ‘werde’ and ‘hen’ which refers to a hill or a mound.
Worsley has earned the nickname “The Village of Wordsworth” due to its close association with the Wordsworth surname. Finally, Wortham is the combination of ‘werde’ and ‘ham’ which refers to a homestead or group of dwellings.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Wordsworth include Wordsorth, Worth, Wordeseworth, Workesworth, Wurtsworth, Wurtscott, Worthen, Worsley and Wortham. All of these variants are derived from two Old English words, ‘werde’ which means 'enclosure' and ‘swort’ which means 'yard'.
Famous people with the name Wordsworth
- William Wordsworth (1770-1850): English Romantic poet who wrote poetry during the period of English history known as Romanticism. He was one of the most influential figures in the movement and is known as one of the greatest poets in the English language.
- Dorothy Wordsworth (1771-1855): English diarist and sister of William Wordsworth. She is best known for keeping journals of the family’s travels and activities during their time in the Lake District.
- Thomas Wordsworth (1793-1846): English doctor and younger brother of William Wordsworth. He practiced medicine in London and died from complications from tuberculosis.
- Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885): English Anglican bishop and nephew of William Wordsworth. He was Bishop of Lincoln from 1868 until his death in 1885.
- John Wordsworth (1772-1805): English Royal Navy captain and William Wordsworth’s younger brother. He died at sea in 1805 while commanding HMS Liffey.
- Richard Wordsworth (1793-1850): English lawyer and younger brother of William Wordsworth. He became a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn and worked in the Court of Chancery.
- Christopher Wordsworth (1774-1846): English priest, schoolmaster and uncle of William Wordsworth. He was the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge and wrote several religious works.
- John Wordsworth (1798-1879): English cleric and younger brother of William Wordsworth. He was a Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford and was later made Dean of Salisbury.
- Katherine Wordsworth (1817-1852): English artist, sister of William Wordsworth and the youngest of the Wordsworths’ children. She produced a variety of artworks, including illustrations for her brothers’ poetry.