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Worby Family History

Worby Surname Meaning

English (Suffolk) is a habitational name derived from Warboys in Huntingdonshire. This name comes from the Old English personal name Wearda combined with the word busc meaning ‘bush’, or perhaps from the Latin term boscus which means ‘wood’. The name reflects the connection to the landscape and the natural features of the area.

Additionally, it shows influences from the Old French word bois which also translates to ‘wood’. This signifies the historical interaction between the cultures and languages over time, particularly in areas influenced by French norms.

Moreover, the term can also be interpreted as a nickname that describes a forester or an officer who is responsible for managing a forest. This reflects the roles and responsibilities associated with managing woodland areas in historical contexts.

The origins also trace back to Old Parisian French, deriving from the word garder, which means ‘to guard’. This indicates a practical connection to the duties of protecting and overseeing forested regions.

Ultimately, the name encapsulates both the natural environment and the occupational roles tied to it, thereby enriching its historical significance and cultural identity.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Where is the Worby family from?

You can see how Worby families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Worby family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Worby families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 111 Worby families living in London. This was about 26% of all the recorded Worby's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Worby families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Worby surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Worby ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Worby. 10% of Worby men worked as a General Labourer and 82% of Worby women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Worby were Old Age Pensioner and Unpaid House Duties.

View Census Data for Worby | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    10%
  • Incapacitated
    8%
  • Cabinet Maker
    8%
  • Old Age Pensioner
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    82%
  • Housewife
    4%
  • Housemaid
    3%
  • Unpaid House Duties
    3%

What Worby family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 8,000 census records available for the last name Worby. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Worby census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Worby

Passenger Lists

There are 426 immigration records available for the last name Worby. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Worby immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 497 military records available for the last name Worby. For the veterans among your Worby ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Worby military records

You've only scratched the surface of Worby family history

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What is the average Worby lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Worby life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 1980. The average life expectancy for Worby in 1954 was 40, and 84 in 2004.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Worby ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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