Surname Worsham - Meaning and Origin

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U. Worsham

Worsham: What does the surname Worsham mean?

The last name "Worsham" is an English patronymic name, derived from the combination of two Old English pre-7th-century terms: "war" and "ham". The prefix “war” derives from the Old English personal name “Waer”, translating to "protector" or “defender”, and the suffix “ham” means homestead. Thus, Worsham as a surname would have originally been used to refer to someone from a place where the person named War (or Waer) once had an estate or lived. The name has since spread through England and the rest of the British Isles to America.

Another interpretation of this name could derive from the Olde English "wur" meaning "marshland" and "ham" meaning settlement. This would make the name of Worsham mean a settlement near a marsh or wetlands.

The name first appears in Medieval Anglo-Saxon caravan rolls in 1240, at which time the name was written as "Waresham", and is also found in current forms, as listed in the famous Magna Carta in 1215.

Historically, the family name was associated with the Middle Ages, as Edward II of England granted an estate to a William de Waresham during the 14th century in the county of Oxfordshire. This was one of the earliest recorded deeds linked to the Worsham name. Other records indicate that the Worsham family first settled in Suffolk, located in East Anglia, in 1195.

The name "Worsham" is likely derived from an area in Eastern England, most specifically Suffolk, and likely traveled to America with the settlers and immigrants from the British Isles during the Colonial period. Today, the name can be found associated with many prominent Americans, including musician Flip Worsham, as well as the notable Worsham family of South Carolina who had a significant presence in American politics and military service.

Worsham: Where does the name Worsham come from?

The surname Worsham is today most prevalently found in the United States, especially in the southeastern region. Worsham families originally emigrated to these states from England during the 17th and 18th centuries. According to the Digital Atlas, the majority of Worshams currently living in the United States can be found in Virginia and Texas, accounting for more than 80 percent of the total population. Following that, families are spread out throughout the country, with some presence in West Virginia, Georgia, Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, and California.

The Worsham surname holds deep roots in the US's southeastern region. Many of the modern-day Worsham families trace their lineage back to the earliest recorded Worsham settlers who arrived in colonial Virginia in the 17th century. These settlers were largely derived from the English language, particularly from the English county of Staffordshire and the Midlands region.

History and DNA research indicates that the Worsham surname originated in the East Midlands region of England. Some, however, suggest that its origins may be linked to Scotland. Over the course of several centuries, the Worsham family spread from England to Ireland, Wales, and other parts of Europe, eventually making its way to the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Throughout history, the name Worsham has been variously spelled as Worsam, Worsome, Worshan, Worshem, Wermission, Warisham, and Worship. Surname usage in the US today, however, is concentrated mainly to the form of `Worsham’.

Variations of the surname Worsham

The surname Worsham is a variant on the English name Worsley. It is a habitational surname derived from any of the various places throughout England so called, such as Worsley near Manchester, and Worsham in Sussex. It is of Anglo-Saxon origin and indicates someone who lived near or worked at a cattle enclosure, settlement, or town known as “Wors” or “Hwor”, which was derived from the Old English words “hwor”, meaning a hill, and “ham”, meaning settlement.

Worsham is also spelled variously as Woersham, Worsum, Worship, Worshipp, and Worsbrey. It is a common surname in the United States, particularly in states such as Virginia and North Carolina.

Variants of the name Worsham include Worshams, Worschem, Worschemist, Worshee, Worshipe, Worshum, Worsing, and Worssing. It is also sometimes shared with other surnames, such as Worthington, Worsley, and Worrall, which all derive from the same Old English root words.

In some cases, the name is also spelled Worchill, Worchall, and Wrochill.

The surname Worsham has also been readily adopted as a soubriquet or epithet by members of other families; it is a recognizable variant in the Norman family of Courson, from which it is believed to have emerged.

Finally, the name is a variant of the Cornish Corsham, which is a more commonly found in the south west of England. The variations of this name include Corham, Cursump and Corcem.

Famous people with the name Worsham

• Dan Worsham: Professional golfer on the Korn Ferry Tour.
• Will Witchard Worsham: Professional business leader, entrepreneur, and former Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell.
• Houston Worsham: Former professional football player and offensive lineman for the Baltimore Colts, from 1959 to 1962.
• Ned Worsham: Professional basketball player in the American Basketball Association from 1968 to 1971.
• Alice Worsham: Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who has recorded a self-titled EP under her own name.
• Kathy Worsham: Old-time and bluegrass musician and songwriter from Hillsville in Carroll County, Virginia.
• Erin Worsham: Advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and Executive Director of a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of interpersonal violence.
• Gilliam Worsham: American conscientious objector and folk medic during the Civil War.
• Joe Worsham: Professional auto racer, who competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times in the 1920s.
• Danita Worsham: Realtor and businesswoman from South Carolina.

Other surnames

WorshaviekzWorshavskyWorshawskyWorshipWorshipeWorshipsWorshum