Origin & Meaning of the Worthy Surname
What does the last name Worthy mean?
The surname Worthy carries the meaning "Surname with roots in African American heritage." It is derived from the English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 8,795 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Worthy ranks as the #4,040 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Worthy come from?
The Worthy surname has its roots in African American heritage. Names of African American origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Worthy name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Worthy trace back to English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Worthy |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Surname with roots in African American heritage |
| Origin | African American |
| Language | English |
| US Rank (2010) | #4,040 |
| US Count (2010) | 8,795 |
| Per 100K People | 2.98 |
| First Letter | W |
Ethnic Distribution of Worthy
According to the US Census, the Worthy surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 8,795 Americans with the Worthy last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 38.29% |
| Black | 55.84% |
| Hispanic | 2.07% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.4% |
| Native American | 0.25% |
| Two or More Races | 3.15% |
Popularity of Worthy Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Worthy surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Worthy surname increased by 468 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Worthy Ancestry
Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Worthy ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Similar Surnames to Worthy
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Worthy.
Other African American Surnames
Explore more surnames with African American roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same African American origin as Worthy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Worthy
Related Searches
People searching for information about the Worthy surname also look for: