Show ContentsWorms History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Worms can derive from either the German term "Würmchen" for a small mite, or from "Wurm" the Middle High German and Middle Low German word for snake or dragon. The surname may have originated from a nickname inspired by a physical attribute or character trait of the bearer. Or it may have been patronymic, derived from the personal name of the father. In this case the personal name would have been the Old Germanic "Wurm," a name rarely in usage today.

Early Origins of the Worms family

The surname Worms was first found in Germany. The name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs. The surname dates back to the 13th century in Württemberg, where Gumpold Wurm was recorded in 1232 and Heinrich dictus Wurm in 1296. In 1269, Johan dictus Worm (Vermis) resided in Hamburg. Hans Wurm was a tailor in 1491, and Wolfgang Worm was a resident of Guben in Saxony in 1530.

Early History of the Worms family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Worms research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1576, 1670, 1673, 1689, 1783, 1816, 1834 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Worms History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Worms Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wurm, Worm, Wurmb, Wörmke, Wörmbke and others.

Early Notables of the Worms family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Worms Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Worms migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Worms Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Kristiaan Worms, who arrived in New York in 1709 1
Worms Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Worms, who arrived in Mississippi in 1846 1
  • Joseph Worms, aged 38, who landed in St Louis, Missouri in 1847 1
  • J Worms, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 1
  • I Worms, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 1
  • Herman Worms, who arrived in Arkansas in 1887 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Worms (post 1700) +

  • Jean Worms (1884-1943), French film actor
  • René Worms (1869-1926), French auditor of the council of state
  • Henry de Worms (1840-1903), 1st Baron Pirbright, British politician
  • Maurice Benedict de Worms (1805-1867), Austrian plantation owner in Ceylon
  • Percy de Worms (1873-1941), English aristocrat and philatelist
  • Charles de Worms (1903-1979), English chemist and lepidopterist
  • Anthony Denis Maurice George de Worms (1869-1938), 3rd Baron de Worms, Austrian aristocrat and English philatelist
  • George de Worms (1829-1902), 2nd Baron de Worms, Austrian aristocrat and English public official and banker, son of Solomon Worms
  • Solomon Benedict de Worms (1801-1882), 1st Baron de Worms, Austrian aristocrat, plantation owner in Ceylon, and stockbroker in London


  1. 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)


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