Werth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Ireland

The Werth surname was a habitational name, taken on from any of various places named Worth. The place names in turn come from the Old English "worð," meaning "enclosure," or "settlement."

"These names are from Anglo-Saxon worth, worthig, weorthig, wurthig, a field, portion of land, a farm, manor, an estate, also a street, public way (vicus, platea)." 1

Early Origins of the Werth family

The surname Werth was first found in Devon at Washfield, a parish, in the union of Tiverton, hundred of West Budleigh. "The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £19. 7. 6., and in the gift of J. Francis Worth, Esq. The church contains an old oak screen, which has been painted white; and a curious monument with brasses to the family of Worth." 2

"Worth, in Washfield, is one of the three places in Devon which still remain the possession and residence of families of the same name, the Worths having been seated there since the thirteenth century. " 3

One of the first records of the family is Richard de la Worthe who was listed there 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I.) 4

"The ancient family of Worth, which derived its name from the village of Worth, owned estates in Titherington from the 14th to the 17th century. The Worths of this county are now best represented in the Crewe district. The name is also established in Lincolnshire. There are villages thus called in Kent and Sussex." 5

John de Wurde was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Kent in 1195 and later, Hawaisia de la Wurth was found in the Feet of Fines for Somerset in 1204. Later again, Elyas de la Worlhwas listed in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1243. 6

Early History of the Werth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Werth research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1170, 1587, 1600, 1620, 1659, 1676, 1677, 1689, 1742 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Werth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Werth Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Worth, Worthe and others.

Early Notables of the Werth family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Ellis Worth (Woorth)(c. 1587-1659), a noted English actor in the Jacobean and Caroline eras, a leading member of two important companies: Queen Anne's Men and Prince Charles's Men; Roger Worthe, mayor of Exeter, on record in 1620 in the Vide Visitation of Devon; and...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Werth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Werth Ranking

In the United States, the name Werth is the 7,706^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Werth family to Ireland

Some of the Werth family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Werth migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Werth Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johannes Werth, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 8
Johann Wilhelm Werth, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1742 8
Gottlieb Werth, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1743 8
Anna Margaretta Werth, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 8
Anna Margretha Werth, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Werth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael Werth, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 8
Catharina Werth, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 8
Eva Werth, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 8
Franz Werth, aged 27, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1843 8
Joachim Werth, aged 30, who landed in America in 1846 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Werth (post 1700) +

Erik Werth, American Emmy-nominated TV news producer
Kurt Werth (1896-1983), German-born, American illustrator of children’s books
Dennis Dean Werth (b. 1952), American former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder
Jayson Richard Gowan Werth (b. 1979), American Major League Baseball outfielder from Springfield, Illinois
Howard Werth (b. 1947), English singer, guitarist and record producer
Léon Werth (1878-1955), French writer and art critic
Isebell Werth (b. 1969), German eighteen-time gold medalist equestrian and world champion in dressage

Citations +

Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)