Surname Würmli - Meaning and Origin

Würmli: What does the surname Würmli mean?

The last name Würmli is derived from the Middle High German word "wurm", meaning "worm" or "small creature". The name is likely a reference to someone's physical appearance, suggesting that the name bearer was wiry or agile.

At the time the surname was adopted, surnames that referenced physical attributes were common. They were a way to distinguish individuals of the same given name in a population. Rural locations in particular had limited records, and assigning a surname helped keep track of the population.

The Würmli surname is fairly common in Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Zurich. It is likely that the name began there, but it is now found throughout Europe, as well as in North and South America.

The corresponding variant spelling of the name is Wurmli, but both spellings are pronounced virtually the same. This spelling may have been meant to distinguish between a surname based on physical attributes and a surname associated with a place of origin, although one can never be certain.

So, the surname Würmli may have originated in the canton of Zurich, and it likely refers to the physical attributes of its name bearer. Today, it is found throughout Europe, as well as in North and South America. It is pronounced the same as Wurmli, although the differently spelled variant likely served to distinguish it from a place-based surname.

Würmli: Where does the name Würmli come from?

The last name Würmli is quite a rare surname, but it is seen in various regions of Europe. It is most commonly found in Switzerland, particularly the canton of Bern. The surname has likely been in Switzerland since at least the 16th century, if not earlier.

The surname is also seen in Germany, with origins in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. This suggests that there may have been some connection between Switzerland and Germany in the past that brought the surname to both countries.

The surname is also found in some areas of Austria, indicating that the surname may have reached Switzerland and Germany from Austria. This could have happened through the migration of people bearing the Würmli name in the late medieval period.

The surname is very rare outside of Europe, but it can occasionally be seen in North America and Australia, which indicates that the surname did spread there as well, possibly through European immigrants.

Overall, the last name Würmli is quite rare today, but its presence in various parts of Europe shows that it has a long history in the region and has spread to other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Würmli

The surname Würmli is a German locational surname derived from the Middle High German word for “worm” – "wurm". This surname is thought to have been used for those who lived near a marshy area or stream where worms could be found. Its variants and spellings include Wurmli, Wörmli, Wörmlie, Wurmle, Wormley, and Wurmely.

In Switzerland, the surname is often found to be spelled as “Würmli”, with the specific dialectal pronunciation of “ü” being used to differentiate it from other spellings. In standard Swiss-German, the spelling would most likely be “Wurmli”. However, the surname has also been found in its Germanic variants “Wörmli” and “Wörmlie”, which both still follow the same pronunciation and meaning as the Swiss version.

In other parts of Europe, especially countries such as France and Austria, the surname can be found spelled as “Wurmle” or even “Wormley” and “Wurmely”, the latter two of which are derived from anglicization of the original German spelling.

Regardless of the spelling, all versions of the surname Würmli are derived from the same root word and are ultimately related, even if the various spellings make them easier to distinguish in different regions throughout Europe.

Famous people with the name Würmli

• Lory Würmli: Swiss ski mountaineer
• Tim Würmli: Swiss snowboarder and photographer
• Martin Würmli: Swiss Ice Hockey Player
• Etienne Würmli: Swiss Alpine skier
• Robert Würmli: Swiss snowboarder
• Simon Würmli: Swiss football player
• Thomas Würmli: Swiss ski mountaineer
• Marc Würmli: Swiss ski mountaineer
• Urs Würmli: Swiss snowboarder and skier
• Doris Würmli: Swiss writer and translator
• Silvia Würmli: Brazilian/Swiss artist
• Laura Würmli: Swiss architect and sculptor
• Margrit Würmli: Swiss philanthropist and founder of the Würmli Foundation
• Franz Würmli: Swiss movie director
• Hans Würmli: Swiss painter
• Mary Würmli: Swiss actress

Other surnames

WürmleWürmlin