Surname Worship - Meaning and Origin
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Worship: What does the surname Worship mean?
The last name Worship is an English surname with French origins, likely derived from the Old French phrase “worshipper.” It is a patronymic surname denoting a family whose ancestor was a worshipper of Jesus or a devotee of another faith.
The name likely came during the time of Norman rule over England, when the Normans brought their Latinized French language and culture. This name likely saw a surge in popularity following the Protestant Reformation, when religious devotion to one’s faith became more widespread.
Today, the name Worship is still found across Britain and other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In more recent decades, it has seen moderate usage as a given name as well.
In the English language, the word “worship” is defined as the reverent love and allegiance to a divine being, and the name Worship carries similar connotations. It symbolizes a devout attitude towards one’s faith and brings to mind scenes of spiritual devotion, both in churches and in the home. It stands for a deeply-held sense of faith and piety, and is a testament to centuries of religious tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisWorship: Where does the name Worship come from?
The last name Worship is most commonly found today in England, particularly in the West Midlands. Historically, the surname is believed to have its origin in the area of Nottinghamshire and likely derived from the Old English term ‘worship’ meaning noble or respected. The first recorded use of the name is of an Adam Worship in Nottinghamshire in 1273. From there, it spread to other areas of England, eventually making its way to the West Midlands. In modern times, the greatest concentration of individuals with the surname Worship are located in Staffordshire and Birmingham, however, it is still observed in other cities across the country.
The Worship surname continues to be strongly associated with the English Midlands today, particularly the city of Birmingham. Families with the surname Worship can be traced back in the area to the 1600s and may have been among the first settlers to move to the region. Today, those with the surname tend to work in a variety of professions, including academia, finance, and medicine. Many Worship families remain in the Birmingham area and are actively involved in their local community.
Variations of the surname Worship
The surname Worship is one of the very few names that appears to originate from England. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Worship include Worchester, Worshipp, Worshope, Worsop, Worshupp, Worshupe, Worschopp, Worschupp, Worschoppe, Worshup, etc.
When the settlers arrived in America, some of the variations of the Worship surname included Worship, Worster, WORCESTERSHIRE, Worsop, Worsupp, Worschupp and Worschoppe, while some adopted the surname as Worsham, a more alter form of the original Worship.
The origin and meaning of the Worship surname are uncertain. It may have emerged from either a personal nickname or a place-name. One possible meaning of the name is “worker of the castle” or “dweller near the castle”. The earliest record of the family is found in the early 12th century, in Worcestershire, England, where they were noted as holding a family seat as Lords of the Manor.
In 1996, it was estimated that the Worship surname was the 147th most common surname out of all of the possible surnames in the United Kingdom. Worship Family History in America dates back to the 1600s in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. In recent times, notable people with the Worship surname include, Audrey Worship, an American dressmaker and fashion designer; Will Worship, a professional soccer player; and Dudley Worship, an American politician.
Famous people with the name Worship
- Brad Worship: Brad Worship is a professional football player best known for playing center for the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1999.
- Bill Worship: Bill Worship is an American lawyer, professor and political consultant. He attended Harvard Law School and is currently a professor of law at Georgetown University.
- Samantha Worship: Samantha Worship is an American actress and comedian best known for her roles in the films The Big Lebowski, Clueless, and Grapes of Wrath.
- Eddie Worship: Eddie Worship is an American professional boxer from Florida. He competed in the light middleweight division and is the former Ironman Middleweight Champion.
- Amy Worship: Amy Worship is an American singer and songwriter. She has released five studio albums, two of which have been certified gold.
- Andrew Worship: Andrew Worship is an American politician and entrepreneur. He served as the mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas from 2007-2011.
- Michael Worship: Michael Worship is an actor best known for his roles in the television series House and Law & Order.
- Thomas Worship: Thomas Worship was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the Governor of Alabama from 1874-1878.
- Pat Worship: Pat Worship was an American country and folk music singer-songwriter. He had several Top 40 records in the 1950s and 1960s.