Surname Wurm - Meaning and Origin

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J. Wurm

Wurm: What does the surname Wurm mean?

The last name Wurm is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “wurm”, meaning “worm”. Various spellings of the name—such as Wuerme, Wuerme, and Wurm—can be found within Germany and other Germanic countries.

The surname Wurm has an interesting history. It was initially a nickname for someone who was slimy or worm-like, someone who was untrustworthy. However, it also became a name associated with strength and perseverance. Many bearers of the Wurm surname are said to have been strong-willed and determined in their efforts.

Throughout Germany, the surname Wurm can be found dating back as early as the 13th century. It is associated with several noble German families who held a variety of positions within Germany's socio-political system. The name is also widely represented among the German-speaking world as a whole.

Today, the last name Wurm can be found throughout Europe and the United States. Many individuals and families with this surname are found in American records, with some being descended from German immigrants in the latter part of the 19th century. The last name Wurm has endured throughout history—from being an insult to being a strong indicator of one's character.

Wurm: Where does the name Wurm come from?

The last name Wurm is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the German-speaking regions of Switzerland. It is thought to have originated in the Bavarian region of Germany, as early as the 16th century. Records of the Wurm family can be found in various German states and regions around this time period.

Today, the last name Wurm is still quite common throughout much of the German-speaking world. In Germany, it is the 154th most common surname out of the approximately 500,000 registered surnames in the country. It is more popular in some states and cities than others—for instance, it ranks 66th in the state of Thuringen. In Austria, it is the 137th most common surname, and in Switzerland, it is the 63rd.

Outside of the German-speaking countries, the name Wurm can occasionally be found in places with a history of German immigration. This includes the United States, where it ranks as the 10,833rd most common name, and Canada, where it ranks as the 12,251st. Within both countries, though, the name is much less common than in its original homeland, making up a fraction of a percent of each country's population.

Variations of the surname Wurm

The surname Wurm is of Germanic and Slavic origin, derived from the word "wurm" meaning "worm" or "serpent". It can be found in various spellings, such as Woerz, Wurzebacher, Würzbacher, Wörthmüller, Wirthmüller, Wyrtze, Wuerz, Werz, Wurz, Würz, Wirz, Worz, Verz, Wehrz, Wurth, Wirtz and Wurthmüller.

In German, the surname typically has been spelled Wurm. It was adopted by many immigrants to America in the 18th and 19th centuries, where the spelling has been transliterated and changed to Worm, Wurm, Wurme, Warms, Warum, Worman, Womick, and Woram, among other variants.

In other parts of Europe, the surname was found in various forms. In Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, the spelling is generally Verm, Werm, Vorm, or Worm. In Poland, it is spelled Wierz, Wyrz, Werz, Wurz, Wirz, and Warsz. In the Czech Republic, variations include Vurm and Wurm. In England, the spelling has been often been adapted as Worrm.

Regardless of the variant spelling, all spellings of the surname Wurm originate from the same root.

Famous people with the name Wurm

• Jessica Wurm: actress, known for her role as Ashlee in the teen drama TV show, Silverstone High.
• Uli Wurm: German rock musician and a founding member of the rock band, The Lips.
• Friedrich Wurm: Austrian theologian and philosopher.
• Michael Wurm: award-winning chef and cookbook author.
• Johannes Wurm: German organist and composer.
• Gustav Wurm: Austrian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.
• Hans Wurm: German classical philologist.
• Julian Wurm: German soccer player.
• Erich Wurm: Austrian soccer player.
• Marcin Wurm: Polish volleyball player.
• Paul Wurm: French doctor and the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul charity.
• David Wurm: Austrian mathematician and historian.
• Moses Wurm: German-born rabbi and exegete.
• Fritz Wurm: German explorer, geologist, and anthropologist.
• Theo Wurm: German cellist and composer.
• Alexander Wurm: Hungarian actor and theater director.
• James Wurm: American architect and interior designer.
• Chris Wurm: American criminal defense attorney and the President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
• Karl Wurm: German Olympic athlete who won a Gold medal in Track and Field.
• Egon Wurm: Austrian politician and former member of the European Parliament.

Other surnames

WurdemanWurdemannWürdemannWürfelWürfeleWürfellWürfelsWürffelWürffellWürffelsWürffleinWürflWürfleinWürflerWürmannWurmehlWürmelWürmellWürmleWürmliWürmlinWurmmehlWurmnestWürmseerWurmseherWürmseherWurmstichWurshipWurstWürst