Surname Worth - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling Ancestry: A Journey of Personal Discovery through iGENEA DNA Test

I embarked on the iGENEA DNA test with a casual interest in my ancestry. Little did I know, this seemingly simple test would provoke a profound change in my view of my personal identity and heritage, especially regarding the lineage of my surname, Worth.

J. Worth

Worth: What does the surname Worth mean?

The last name Worth is of English origin, with the name having two possible meanings. The first and most likely meaning is that the name derives from Old English, with 'Worth' meaning 'enclosure', or an area of land surrounded by a fence. During the Middle Ages, Worth was a common topographical surname which referred to someone who lived by an enclosed spot of land. The second possibility is that Worth is a variation of the name 'Wroe', an Old English nickname meaning 'spirited one'; this name could have been used to describe a person who was brave and courageous.

Today the surname Worth is most commonly found in England, but is beginning to appear in other countries such as Australia, the United States and Canada. Those bearing this name tend to be ambitious and hardworking and often find joy in the success of others. People with this name are often punctual and reliable, and are often found leading families, businesses and organisations to success. While the name Worth has grown in popularity in recent years, it is still important to remember the origin of the name and where it has come from.

Worth: Where does the name Worth come from?

The surname Worth is quite common today, with more than 31,000 people bearing the name in the US alone. It is especially prevalent in states in the Northeast and Midwest, particularly Wisconsin, which has the most number of Worths in the US (7,150). Pennsylvania follows closely at 6,795 Worths. The Worth name is also quite popular in England and Wales, with over 9,000 people with the moniker living in the UK.

Originally, Worth was of Anglo-Saxon origin, with the name meaning ‘raven-filled valley.’ It was a tradition given to people who lived in farmlands close to a ravine. The name spread to other parts of Europe via Anglo-Norman migrations in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Today, Worth is also used as a surname in some countries in South Asia, including India and Pakistan, where the name has been adopted as an anglicized version of local family names. In China, the surname Worth is also popular, being an Anglicization of the Chinese word ‘Wei,’ which translates to ‘superiority’ or ‘greatness.’

Variations of the surname Worth

The surname Worth is a relatively uncommon name that has several variants and spellings. Within England, the most common spellings are Worthe, Wort, Worthy, and Word. Wort is the oldest variant of the name, which was derived from the Old English word weorð, meaning "worthy." Other variations of this name include Worde, Werth, Wurt, Wert, Worden, Wharf, Wharfe, Waerdt, and Warf.

Variants of the name Worth have been found all over the world, including Denmark, Germany, and Austria. In the United States, Worth is most commonly found in the Southern states. Some original European spellings have also been retained, including Werth in Germany and Wort in Austria.

The surname Worth is connected to several variants and surnames derived from other European countries. Names such as Wortmann (Germany), Warford (England), Waerden (Netherlands), Wortham (England), Warfe (England), Vermeer (The Netherlands), and Verbruggen (Belgium) all have ties to the Worth surname.

In terms of other English variants, Worthham, Worthyman, Wrotham, Warthman, Wertham, and Wermuth are all derived from the original Worth surname. Other variations of the name can be found in other countries as well, including Wertz in Germany and Verde in Spain.

The surname Worth has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Regardless of where it is found, each variant of the name is ultimately derived from the original Old English weorð and has deep historical ties to England, Germany, and other parts of Europe.

Famous people with the name Worth

• John Worth, 19th century American politician
• Robert Worth, 19th century American politician
• William Worth, 19th century American military officer
• Henry Worth, 20th century American professional baseball player
• Elizabeth Worth, English composer and pianist
• Tilly Worth, English ballerina
• Jessica Worth, English actor
• Robert Worth Bingham, 20th century American diplomat
• Edward Worth, 18th century Irish physician
• David Worth, 20th century American military officer
• John Worth Edmonds, 19th century American civil war veteran
• Abraham Worth, British-born American typographer
• Tom Worth, British-born American boxer
• John Worth Kern, American politician
• Jesse Applegate Worth, American playwright and poet
• Orrin Worth, American rapper
• Susanna Worth, American dancer
• Jack Worth, American golf player
• Robert Worth, Canadian politician
• Gene Worth, American television producer and director

Other surnames

WortWortbergWörtcheWörterWörtgeWörtgenWorthamWorthanWorthemWorthenWörtherWortheyWorthinWorthingWorthingtonWorthleyWörthmannWorthmeierWörthmüllerWörthnerWorthyWortmanWortmannWörtmannWortmeierWortmeyerWorttmannWörtz