Surname Usworthy - Meaning and Origin
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Usworthy: What does the surname Usworthy mean?
The last name Usworthy is of English origin and is thought to have possibly derived from the old English words 'us' and 'worthig' which roughly translate as 'deserving of respect'. It is also possible that the name could have been derived from the Saxon words 'wurthig', which mean 'worthy', or from the Old Norse word 'Ulfwurthig', which mean 'wolf worthy'. The Usworthy name is known to have dated back to at least the 14th century when there were records of one Robert Usworthy mentioned in England's Rotuli Parliamentorum. This makes it a very old and established English surname.
In its origins, Usworthy is thought to have been a name given to a leader or someone of high esteem, such as a knight or nobleman. Over time, it could have become a surname adopted by those who chose to follow this noble ancestor. Today, the Usworthy surname is generally associated with qualities such as respectability, reliability, and loyalty.
Although the meaning of the Usworthy surname itself isn't known definitively, its old English roots suggest that it could have meant the bearer was worthy or deserving of respect and admiration. It's also likely that, much like many other surnames, its original meaning has become obscured over time and is now simply used as a family identifier. Whatever the true meaning of the Usworthy surname may be, it continues to represent a proud and important part of English history.
Order DNA origin analysisUsworthy: Where does the name Usworthy come from?
The last name Usworthy is quite uncommon today, though it may be found in different parts of the world such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
In the U.S., the name Usworthy appears more commonly in Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina. In the U.K., the name appears most commonly in Lancashire and Dorset. In Canada, the name appears mostly in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and in Australia the name appears to be the most frequent in the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Despite its relative rarity in the modern day, records suggest that Usworthy has been present in Britain since the 11th century, with multiple individuals bearing the name appearing in various parts of England and Scotland at different points in time between then and the 19th century.
It appears that the name Usworthy likely originated as a variant spelling of the larger, more common last name "Oswald". This surname derived from the given name, Oswald, which was derived from two old English elements, "os" (meaning "god") and "weald" (meaning "to rule"). Thus, it had the original meaning of "God rules" or "God is supreme".
Variations of the surname Usworthy
The surname UsWorthy is derived from the Old English word wyrthe, meaning 'worthy'. Other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include UsWorthe, UsWerthe, Usworth, UsArt, Ussart, Uzzard, Oswerd, and Usethorpe.
The surname Usworthy may have been first used as a nickname for someone who was deemed 'worthy' of respect in society. In Old English culture, being 'worthy' was a valued quality that deemed the individual or family noble and honourable.
Throughout history, the surname has appeared in different spellings and variants. In the 15th century, records demonstrate usage of the surname UsWorthe. By the 16th and 17th centuries, variants such as Usworth and Usethorpe appear more frequently in documents. During this time, variants were often used to indicate location, so Usethorpe may refer to an individual from the town of Usethorpe in Lincolnshire or Usworth in Durham.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the surname took on its modern form, Usworthy. As such, documents and records from this period are more likely to retain its current spelling. Additionally, surnames related to Usworthy such as UsArt, Ussart, Uzzard, and Oswerd may be more commonly found in records from 19th century France, as this was when the Normans reintroduced some of the Old English words such as wyrthe into French.
In conclusion, the surname Usworthy may have been derived from an Old English word meaning 'worthy' and is found throughout documents and records in various spellings and variants throughout history. Common variants include UsWorthe, UsWerthe, Usworth, UsArt, Ussart, Uzzard, Oswerd, and Usethorpe.
Famous people with the name Usworthy
- Steve Usworthy: Steve Usworthy is a retired professional basketball player. He was a shooting guard for the University of Georgia and the Atlanta Hawks. After college, Steve went on to play in the NBA for seven years before retiring in 2003.
- Jane Usworthy: Jane is an English actress who is best known for her role on the Hit TV show 'Downton Abbey'. She has also appeared in other television series such as 'Call the Midwife', 'Broadchurch' and 'The Bletchley Circle'.
- Cecil Usworthy: Cecil was an Australian politician who served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1932 to 1943. During his tenure, he was part of the governing coalition of the United Australia Party.
- Brad Usworthy: Brad is an American businessman and CEO of the software company 'Salesforce'. He has held several executive roles within the company since joining in 2004.
- Tim Usworthy: Tim is an English actor who is best known for his roles in the hit BBC shows 'Sherlock', 'The Office' and 'Doctor Who'. He has also starred in the film 'Love Actually'.
- Taylor Usworthy: Taylor is an American musician who is best known for performing country music with his band 'Usworthy and the Travelers'. He has released three albums since making his debut in 2016.