Surname Wörle - Meaning and Origin
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Wörle: What does the surname Wörle mean?
The last name Wörle is of German origin and an occupational name for someone who was either a wheelwright or a maker or dancer of wheels. A wheelwright was a skilled artisan who made and repaired wheels, while a wheel dancer was a person who entertained by performing a sophisticated form of dance involving spinning, balancing, and throwing a wheel or set of wheels.
The word "Wörle" itself comes from the Middle High German Würl meaning wheel or wheelwright. It is found as a surname in records from as early as the 16th century. In Germany and its surrounding areas, it was common for names to be passed down from one generation to the next, giving them the same ending as a mark of kinship. The name Wörle is found in both versions, with and without the extra vowel.
The modern age has seen Wörle's settle around the world, particularly in the United States where it is frequently found as Worley or Worrall. Generally it is still seen to be a name associated with wheelmaking, though over the years its original meaning has been lost to some degree. It is nevertheless a name with strong historical and cultural links, and those who bear it are likely to have a strong connection to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisWörle: Where does the name Wörle come from?
The last name Wörle is common mostly in German-speaking areas of Europe. It is found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. In Germany, the name is concentrated in the southwest part of the country, particularly in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate. In Austria, Wörle is most commonly found in the states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol. In Switzerland, it is most frequent in the canton of Graubünden. In Luxembourg, the name is seen mostly in the district of Grevenmacher.
The name Wörle is thought to have originated in Middle High German languages and is derived from the word “weorl”, which means “man”. Thus, it can be assumed that the surname was initially taken on by those who worked as laborers in the Middle Ages. It is a popular surname today and can also be found in Scandinavian countries.
The spelling of Wörle can vary significantly. In some cases, the consonants are swapped around so that the last name might be written as “Wörel” or “Wrelo”. In other cases, the Ö character may be replaced with an E, resulting in “Woerle”. Therefore, it can be helpful to take all spellings into account when searching for the name Wörle.
Variations of the surname Wörle
The surname Wörle has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the name is Woerle or Wörle. This spelling is often used in German-speaking countries—for example, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The spelling can also appear with two dots above the letter "o"—Wöerle or Wöörle.
Other common variants of Wörle or Woerle include Woerl, Woerle, Weürle, Wöerl, Wüerle, Wuerle, Werle, and Werl. These variants are often found in regions or countries heavily influenced by German culture such as the United States, Canada, and parts of South America.
Surnames with similar origins to Wörle include Worrell, Worley, Weirle, Verrill, Worrall, Worrle, Warrall, Warnell, and Warrell. All of these names can be traced back to the same root: the German "Wöhrle" or "Wörle."
Tracing the surnames to their origin, the name is believed to have referred to a person from a place called "Wörlen" or a "Wörlefeld," which is an old Germanic name derived from "wei," meaning "field," and "erle," meaning "oaks." In this case, the surname literally translates to mean someone from a field of oaks.
The history of the surname Wörle dates back to the Middle Ages in Central European countries. Since then, the name has spread across the globe and is found in many countries, primarily those that speak German or have been strongly influenced by German culture. Although the name has many variants, it is thought to have derived from one central place and has since evolved to encompass its many different spellings.
Famous people with the name Wörle
- Kristina Wörle: German professional basketball player who played in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks.
- Andreas Wörle: German former footballer who played as a midfielder for Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Eva-Maria Wörle: German ski-jumper, who competed for the now defunct East German national team.
- Felix Wörle: German tennis player who won the boys' mobile phone singles at the 2006 French Open.
- Matthias Wörle: German slalom canoeist who won a bronze medal in the C2 team event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
- Gideon Wörle: Swiss-born German stage and TV actor.
- Ingrid Wörle: German soprano opera singer who has appeared as a soloist with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Heidelberg State Opera.
- Julius Wörle: German cross country skier who competed in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway.
- Maria Wörle: German skier and journalist who won the gold medal in the Kellner Cup slalom event at the 1977 World Championship in Lima, Peru.
- Max Wörle: German beer brewer who became associated with the Bamberg brewery in Germany.