Surname Worrell - Meaning and Origin

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Y. Worrell

Worrell: What does the surname Worrell mean?

The last name Worrell is of English origin. It is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name Wulfhere, composed of the elements wulf, meaning "wolf" and here, meaning "army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxon people, and could have originally been held by a powerful warrior.

The surname Worrell could have been first recorded in Yorkshire where the Worrell family held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest in 1066 AD. Various spellings of the name were recorded, including Wuril, Waril, Woral, Wurle, Wurl, Worrilow, Wurrel and Worrall, as these various forms of the surname became adopted, so the variations expanded.

The courteous manner of the Worrells was renowned and they were committed to the service of their King and country. Members of the Worrell family attended and participated in the War of the Roses.

Today, the surname Worrell is a locational name that is found mainly in Yorkshire, Lancashire and other parts of Northern England. It is also predominant in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. While it is still found mainly in the North of England, the surname has become diffused around the world, which is perhaps a reflection of the family’s prosperous history.

Worrell: Where does the name Worrell come from?

The last name Worrell is most commonly found in the United States. According to the new 2019 data from the US Census Bureau, Worrell was the 11,588th most popular last name in the country. It is most prevalent in the Southern states of Arkansas (where it is the 809th most common name) and Tennessee (where it is the 894th most common name). Additionally, the name is frequently seen in Texas (where it holds 1643rd spot) and Louisiana (where it is 674th). It is notably less common in other domestic states, such as California (20,677th place), New York (15,992nd) and New Jersey (16,149th).

Overall, the Worrell last name is mostly concentrated in the South, but can also be found in smaller numbers around the world, particularly in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Worrell

The surname Worrell has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Warrell, Warrill, Worell, Worill and Worril. The variant Warrell can be seen as a combination of two older surnames, War and Ell (possibly derived from Elias). It is thought that Worrell could be a form of Warrell, with the additional letter R. The variant Warrill is similar to Warrell, but with the extra letter L.

The spelling Worell is another possible variant, derived either from Warrell or a separate Anglo-Saxon surname Werl, meaning “a grain reference” or “a person who was a grain dealer”. The spelling Worill is also thought to be derived from Warrell, with the addition of the letter I.

Finally, Worril is the likely spelling variant for Worrell, emerging during the 13th century in Worcestershire, England. All of these variants have been found as surnames of the same origin, meaning Worrell has multiple spellings and associated surnames.

Famous people with the name Worrell

• Steve Worrell: An English former football player who enjoyed a successful playing career that spanned from 1983 to 1997.
• Lou Worrell: American film producer best known for his work on films such as The Hangover and The Campaign.
• Edna Worrell: American actor best known for her roles in the sitcoms The Jeffersons and Gimme a Break!
• Frank Worrell: West Indian cricketer widely acknowledged as one of the pioneers and iconic figures of cricket in the West Indies.
• Cynthia Worrell: Award-winning cabaret vocalist and actress.
• James Worrell: British sociologist and criminologist known for his groundbreaking works on the social impacts of prisons and punishment.
• Martin Worrell: British television personality best known for presenting the long-running game show Bullseye.
• George Worrell: American aviator and record-breaking pilot who was the first to fly solo across the South Atlantic Ocean.
• Richard Worrell: British military officer and politician who served as disability OG for the Labour Party from 2015: 2016.
• Sarah Worrell: English poet, theologian, and religious commentator.

Other surnames

Worrel