Surname Würmlin - Meaning and Origin

Würmlin: What does the surname Würmlin mean?

The surname Würmlin originates from Germany and is derived from the German word wurm, meaning "worm". It is thought to have originally been a nickname for someone who was small in stature, agile and thin. Another theory suggests that the name came from a Germanic word for ‘uncertain’ or ‘doubtful’, which may have been given to people prone to questioning and skepticism.

The first recording of the surname dates back to 1282, when a man by the name of Wurmlingen was recorded in East Frisia. Over time, the spelling of the name was altered to Würmlin.

Today, the surname Würmlin is found in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and the United States. Many of those who bear the name can trace their ancestry to German-speaking immigrants who arrived in North America in the late 17th century and early 18th century.

In general, the Würmlin surname can be seen as an example of how a nickname, likely given to someone who was small, agile and inquisitive, was passed down through centuries and eventually, given its own identity.

Würmlin: Where does the name Würmlin come from?

The surname Würmlin is most commonly found in Germany and Switzerland. The word itself is derived from an Old High German term meaning “river man”, likely referring to someone who lived near or worked in a river.

Würmlin is a relatively uncommon last name, particularly outside of Germany and Switzerland. The name is most heavily concentrated in the south-western regions of Germany, which includes Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. This area has historically been called Alemannia, and was where the Alemannic people lived and spoke their language before it evolved into present-day German.

In Switzerland, the last name Würmlin is slightly more common as there is a greater concentration of German speakers in Switzerland compared to other parts of the world. The Würmlin surname is particularly popular in the canton of Aargau, which lies along the Aar River and is home to many Germans.

The name Würmlin is also found in parts of North America, most notably in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the name is found in Pennsylvania and South Carolina, both states with significant German populations. In Canada, the name is found in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Despite its relative rarity, the surname Würmlin can be found in many parts of the world today. It’s a reminder of the lasting legacy of the Alemannic people and their contributions to German culture.

Variations of the surname Würmlin

Würmlin is a German and Swiss-German surname. It is a variation of the surname Wormling, with spelling variants including Wermli, Woermli, Wurmli, Woermlin, Wörmlin, Wuermlin, Waermlin, Weormlin, Woermlen, Wuermlen, Wermlin, Wurmlen, Wurmling, Wuermling, Wermeling, Wurmeling, Wermely, Wurmely, Wurmli, Wurmeley, and Wurmeley.

In some cases, the surname is a variation of Wurm, a diminutive of Würm (the German word for worm). In other cases, it is derived from the Middle High German term wurmlīn, meaning "little worm."

Würmlin is one of many variations on the same origin. It is also found as Wurmlein, Wurmli, Wuermlen, Wormlaen, Wurmlae, Wuermlae, wormlien, Wurmlies, Wuermliese, Wormlay, Wurmlay, Wormleigh, Wuermligh, Wormleighs, Wuermligs, Wurmley, Wurmly, Wermlo, Woermel, Woermele, Wormello, Woermerle, Wormele, Wurmele, Wuermeli, Wolfle, Wolfling, Wolfli, Wolfelen, Troulle, Troulli, Troulley, Traulle, Traullin, Traulley, and Trowlee.

Many of these variations are found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In some cases, the surname has spread to other parts of the world, including countries in Europe, North America, and Australia. Additionally, anglicized versions of the name can be found, such as Wormly, Wormley, Wurmly, and Wurmely.

Famous people with the name Würmlin

• Lion Würmlin: Swiss singer and songwriter
• Friederike Würmlin: German TV anchor
• Johannes Würmlin: Swiss Episcopal church hymn writer
• Matthias Würmlin: Swiss footballer
• Helmut Würmlin: Swiss football official, president of the Swiss Football Association
• Johann Jakob Würmlin: German mathematician
• Johannes Würmlin: Swiss Lutheran theologian
• Brigitte Würmlin: Swiss sculptor
• Philipp Würmlin: Swiss politician
• Barbara Würmlin: Swiss theatre director.

Other surnames

Würmli