Surname Wurstius - Meaning and Origin
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Wurstius: What does the surname Wurstius mean?
The surname Wurstius is of German origin and comes from the Middle High German word “wurst” meaning “sausage”. Historically, this surname was usually taken on by a butcher or by someone who had some connection to the making and selling of sausages. The related form of the name is the German term “Würstlein” which means “little sausage”.
In terms of its occurrence in the modern day, Wurstius is quite rare. In the past, the spelling has been known to vary which has also contributed to its rarity. Common variations include Wurtzius, Wurst, Wurster, Wurzius, and Wursterling.
The name is characteristic of the German-speaking areas of Europe, particularly in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. However, historical records indicate that the name also spread to other countries such as Canada, the United States, Argentina, and Australia.
The traditional form of the surname (Wurstius) or any of its variations can also be found in Germany's phone directory, so it is occasionally still in use. Wurtzius (the most common variation) is even more common, although it still remains a relatively rare name.
Order DNA origin analysisWurstius: Where does the name Wurstius come from?
The last name Wurstius is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the state of Bavaria. Although there are some Wurstius families in other European countries such as Austria, France, and the Netherlands, the largest concentration is in Germany.
The Wurstius name derives from the term "wurst", which literally means sausage in German. The origin of the name likely comes from the occupation of butchers or makers of sausages. As such, surnames derived from this field were quite common in the Middle Ages, particularly in the Bavarian region of Germany.
In addition to Germany, the Wurstius name can be found in pockets of other Germanic countries such as the United States, where it is still seen particularly in the states of Pennsylvania and New York. The Wurstius surname is relatively uncommon in the U.S., however, with fewer than 2,000 total people carrying the name across all 50 states.
Overall, Wurstius remains popular in Bavaria, though it has spread into other areas throughout Europe and the United States over time. As with many surnames, the frequency with which it is encountered today depends largely on one's location.
Variations of the surname Wurstius
The surname Wurstius (or Wurst) is a German-based surname of which numerous variants and spellings exist. Depending on the language of origin, the name can also be spelt Vorst, Wurst, Wurst, Worst, Vorste, Wenster, Van Dyke, Vors, Wurz, and others. The group of names is likely derived from the old German word 'wurst' which meant 'sausage'.
Within Germany, the primary spelling of the surname is Wurst or Wursti, and is most commonly found among members of the Lutheran faith in the western regions of the country. The only known records featuring this name prior to the 19th century, however, date to 1550 in the spelling of Vorst. Throughout the centuries, the spelling of the surname shifts and evolves as family members migrate to other countries and cultures.
Within North America, the most commonly found spelling of the surname is Worster which is the anglicised version of the original form. It is believed that members of the family first arrived in the United States around the end of the 18th century. The Worster family is mainly found in the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
The Dutch-based surname Van Dyke is believed to have originated from Wurst and have Dutch linguistic influences, as the spelling contains 'Van’ which is a Dutch honorific prefix of ‘from/of’ that is attached to a person's place of origin.
Due to the large number of variations or spellings, it is not uncommon for surname researchers to find the same family members scattered throughout multiple records with various spellings and surnames.
Famous people with the name Wurstius
- Mats Wurstius, former Minister of Justice and a Member of the Parliament of Sweden.
- Michael Wurstius, German Reformed theologian and minister.
- Conrad Wilhelm Wurstius, German jurist and writer.
- Pieter Wurstius, Dutch Calvinist theologian.
- Jan Wurstius, Dutch Golden Age engraver and painter.
- Johann Jacob Wurstius, Swiss orientalist and theologian.
- Hans Georg Wurstius, German composer and choirmaster.
- Ernst Wurstius, German classical philologist.
- Rudolph Wurstius, Dutch theologian and revival preacher.
- Daniel Wurstius, Czech philosopher, scientist, and writer.