Surname Worchester - Meaning and Origin
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Worchester: What does the surname Worchester mean?
The last name Worchester is of English and Scottish origin and is derived from the Old English elements wierce (fortification) and ceaster (a Roman fort or walled town). It is believed to denote a place of origin associated with a Roman fort or one who lived near one.
Worchester is a notable English surname, first appearing in records dating back to the 12th Century in Worcestershire, England. During this period, Worcestershire was known as one of the strongest strongholds of Christianity in Great Britain, providing many skilled warriors for King William’s wars.
The surname Worchester can also be found in Scotland and Ireland, although its presence in these countries is less common. It may be derived from a family that migrated from England to either Scotland or Ireland when the British Isles were threatened by Norman conquest.
The Worchester family history is thought to be closely related to that of the Worcestershire area, and to this day the surname is still closely associated with the county. It is a surname that is well respected in England, known for its loyalty and hardworking qualities, and today a number of prominent Worchesters, both English and Scottish, can be found in the public eye.
Order DNA origin analysisWorchester: Where does the name Worchester come from?
The last name Worchester is not particularly common today, as it has not been around since the early Middle Ages. The Worchester name has a long and storied history, going back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of medieval England. It was first recorded in 1086, in the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of land ownership that instructed taxes. The name is believed to have been derived from a Saxon chief named Wiggar, meaning "quarreler," and cester or ceaster, which means "Roman fort" or "city." This surname is most commonly found in the British Isles and Ireland, particularly in areas with a high concentration of Anglo-Saxon settlements like Sussex, Hampshire, and Worcestershire. Worcestershire itself was taken from a place with the same name. The Worchester surname has a long and proud history, and is still found today in some parts of England and the United Kingdom. It has also spread to other areas of the world, including the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Worchester
Worcester is a surname of early English origin. It may be spelled as Worchester, Wircestre, Wooster, Wurster, Wulester, Worchester, Woolster, and more.
The surname Worcester is believed to be locational, deriving from an area near the city of Worcester in England. This city dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons and the meaning of the name is believed to mean "fortified camp in a clearing". Alternatively, it may be derived from the Welsh word for "Roman", referring to the Roman settlement found there.
The earliest recorded usage of the Worcester surname is most likely found in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and is spelled as Wircestre or Wurcester.
Variations in spelling to Worcester include Wircestre,Wooster, Wurster, Wulester,Worcester, Woolster, Wulsestre, Woulester, and Wulster.
Variants of Worcester include Wircestre, Wulstre, and Wulstere. Surnames associated with Worcester, and stemming from the same roots, include Wurster, Wulster, Wurcel, Werchel, Wirtz, Virchow and Voerster.
Famous people with the name Worchester
- Robert Worchester: Robert is an American professional golfer who won the Masters Tournament in 1976 and 1977.
- Mary Worchester: Mary is an American writer and producer who is known for her work in the film and television industry.
- Benedict Worchester: Benedict is an English actor, best known for his roles in the films The King's Speech, War Horse, and Dunkirk.
- Maurice Worchester: Maurice is an American football player who played quarterback for the New York Jets from 1960 to 1965.
- Thomas Worchester: Thomas is an American lawyer and banker who is best remembered for being the co-founder of JPMorgan Chase.
- Lisa Worchester: Lisa is an American politician and lawyer who has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 1997.
- Stephen Worchester: Stephen is an English musician and composer who is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Supergrass.
- Richard Worchester: Richard is an English literature professor and author who has written numerous books on the subject.
- Charles Worchester: Charles is an English engineer and inventor who is credited with inventing the modern day bicycle.
- William Worchester: William is an American entrepreneur and the CEO of the Worchester Group, an international conglomerate.