Surname Worlton - Meaning and Origin
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Worlton: What does the surname Worlton mean?
The surname Worlton is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to be derived from a place name such as Worlton in either Norfolk or Devon, England.
It is likely that Worlton is a habitational name, taking its name from one of these two locations. In the Middle Ages, this name was bestowed upon the first bearer of the family name who lived in either location. This meant that they had taken on the name of the town in which they lived, and passed it on to generations to come.
The name Worlton would have meant 'manor near the tangled mass of shrubs' or 'enclosure where rushes grow' in Old English, making it a descriptive name based on the local environment.
The Worlton surname can also be found in records around continental Europe, suggesting that it is of either Norman or French origin, possibly deriving from a place such as Walcourt in Hainaut, Belgium.
Since the 16th century, names like Worlton have been popular in England. Many people in the Worlton family migrated to the United States, and to Australia and Canada too.
In conclusion, the last name Worlton is likely to have derived from a place name originating in England in the Middle Ages. Its meaning in Old English is believed to have been 'manor near the tangled mass of shrubs' or 'enclosure where rushes grow', while variants of the same name can be found across continental Europe. The popularity of the Worlton surname has seen it spread across the world, with many people of this name descending from English roots.
Order DNA origin analysisWorlton: Where does the name Worlton come from?
The last name Worlton is most commonly found in England and Wales. The surname is derived from a place name of Anglo-Saxon origin, which probably means “enclosure with a wall”. The Worlton surname is believed to have been first established in the county of Northumberland in the northern region of England. Records of Worcester listed Walter Worlton in the year 1175 and Nicholas de Wurltone in 1279 in the county of Norfolk.
Despite its origins in England, the last name Worlton is also found with some frequency in the United States. Today, most Worltons living in the US are direct descendants of eighteenth and nineteenth-century English immigrants who settled in the east coast states before migrating further west. In recent decades, the population of Worltons living in the US has grown, particularly in California and Texas.
Today, the Worlton surname is frequently found in England, Wales, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is less common in other parts of the world, although it can be found in some European countries and in South Africa. Currently, there is an estimated total of 20,000 people in the world who bear the Worlton surname.
Variations of the surname Worlton
Worlton is a surname of British origin. Research suggests the name is derived from an Old English term "Woroltune", which translates to "Worold's Estate", where "Worold" is a shortened form of the Germanic personal name "Waldharold". Variations of this surname in its varied spellings include Worlton, Worleton, Whorlton, Woroltone, Worltone, Wurlton, Wurleton, Worletone, Warlington and Wurlington.
In addition, there are some similar surnames of similar origins, such as Wartin or Warton, that are derived from placenames and toponyms of Anglo-Saxon origin. For example, Warrington is derived from a toponymic term referring to a settlement near a weir, and Warton is from an Anglo-Saxon term referring to a town by a weir.
As for variations in spelling, it is, as with most surnames, dependent on regional dialects. In England, variations such as Worlton, Warlton, Wurlton, Worleton, and Whorlton are most common, while in America, Wurlington has become more commonplace.
In conclusion, the surnames Worlton and its variations are derived from Anglo-Saxon origin, with several variations in spelling and variants within the same origin. Although there are several evident variants, the Express Genealogy project notes that it is often difficult to trace which branch the individual is descended from.
Famous people with the name Worlton
- Mark Worton: English politician and member of the House of Commons for the Labour Party from 1997 to 2010.
- Kyle Worton: Canadian professional ice hockey player and member of the San Jose Barracuda in the American Hockey League.
- Brian Worton: English musician and bassist from the band ‘Last Witness’.
- William Worton: British actor best known for his roles on Diagnosis Murder and Ellery Queen.
- Michael Worton: Vice-Provost (Academic and International) of University College London.
- Jennifer Worton: Award-winning triple jumper and 2008 Olympic athlete from Great Britain.
- Oliver Worton: British actor best known for his work in the television series Jeeves and Wooster.
- Barry Worton: English football player and coach, most recently at Huddersfield Town.
- Alexa Worton: American actress and model best known for her roles in the films The Purge and Alice Through the Looking Glass.
- Sandy Worton: Publisher and owner of the Cincinnati-based magazine ‘CityBeat’.