Surname Wörl - Meaning and Origin
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Wörl: What does the surname Wörl mean?
The last name Wörl is a German patronymic surname, derived from the given name Wörle or Wörli, both of which likely come from an old Germanic first name. In some cases, it is also a variant of the name Worm, which derived from the old Germanic word "wurm" meaning "worm" or "serpent".
The name Wörl is quite common in Germany and Austria, and perhaps more so in Switzerland where it is the most popular variant of the surname Worm. Additionally, there is a small population of Wörl families in the United States today.
Generally speaking, the name Wörl is thought to symbolize strength, and loyal individuals in the community with this surname often held leadership roles. To take the symbolism of strength further, some Wörl families may have derived their surname from a military position such as a soldier or guard.
The historic Wörl family also had a coat of arms bearing the shield of a black griffin with a red background. This was used to signify loyalty and a guardian of the keep.
Today, Wörl is an increasingly popular and recognizable surname in certain parts of the world. Many people with the surname take pride in their heritage, enjoy learning about their history and understand the symbolic meaning of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisWörl: Where does the name Wörl come from?
The last name Wörl is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in other countries with significant German-speaking populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The root of the name is derived from the Old High German name Wurm, or Worm, which is a particularly common name in Southern Germany as well as Switzerland. The spelling Wörl is a variation of the original name that was popularized in the 16th century due to an orthographic reform that changed the standard spelling for many German names at that time.
The name may also have its origins in some of the more rural and rural-style surnames found all over Germany. These names sometimes included prefixes such as “Wurm-” or “Werl-” and signified a person who relied on worms for their livelihood, either as a gathering or fishing activity.
Whether the name Wörl originated from the Worm spelling or from a rural profession, today it is most strongly associated with German-speaking areas and German-derived cultures. It is seen as a common and typical last name in many German-speaking areas, including Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Wörl
The surname Wörl has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Woerl or Woerle, which are both derived from the German word "Wörl". Other variants include Wörlein, Werle, Werlin, Worlein, Werling, Wölling, Wörsching, Würle and Würsling.
The Germanic name Wörl has its origins in the Middle High German word "wor," which means "expert" or "watchman." The surname first appeared in an Old High German text from 1440, when it was used to refer to a person who was skilled in some area or craft. It may also be derived from the German words "wohren" and "wohrl," both of which mean "care."
The surname Woerl may also be anglicized as Worley, an alternate form of the German name which could have been created with the influence of the English language. Warley is another anglicized form of the name, but this is much less common.
In addition to these variants and spellings, there are a few surnames related to Wörl in Germany. These include Wörler, Wörlbauer, Wörlbacher, Wörlth, Wörlig, Wörlich, Wörlies and Wörlex.
Overall, Wörl is a common German surname and its variants are perfect examples of the way German names change depending on the language spoken in that particular country.
Famous people with the name Wörl
- Katrin Wörl: considered to be Germany's answer to the Spice Girls, this all-girl pop quintet first achieved fame in 1998 with their hit single “Stille Nacht”.
- Christine Wörl: German composer and oboist whose works range from symphonies and concertos to chamber music and cabaret.
- Wolfgang Wörl: Austrian film director and screenwriter famous for his work on the 1987 cult classic Summer of ‘42.
- Johann Wörl: renowned German brigadier general who served on the Western Front in World War 2, most notably storming Omaha Beach on D-Day.
- Hans Wörl: publisher, author, and noted Hokusai scholar who wrote numerous books on the life and work of this iconic 19th century Japanese painter.
- Johannes Wörl: German photographer and publisher of several popular photography books, including “A View of Nature” and “German People: 1920-1945.”
- Marie Wörl: Swiss opera singer and actress of the silent-era, most well-known for her leading role in Carl Mayer’s 1914 film “The Miracle of Love.”
- Werner Wörl: German classical music violist and a member of the esteemed Münchner Philharmoniker.
- Martina Wörl: professional cyclist who currently competes with the Canyon-SRAM team, winning several stages in the La Course race by Le Tour de France in 2019.