Surname Würmle - Meaning and Origin

Würmle: What does the surname Würmle mean?

The last name Würmle is a German surname, derived from a toponymic of the same spelling, located in south-central Germany. The name originates from the Old High German word “wurm”, meaning dragon or serpent. Thus, one could interpret Würmle as a habitational name, referring to someone who lived near a lake or river with a dragon visible in the area. Alternatively, it might also refer to people who engaged in dragon-related activities, such as fighting and slaying them, or protecting people from supposed dragon attacks.

The earliest known record of the Würmle family dates back to around 1370 in Heilbronn, Germany, where a man by the name of Nickel Würmle lived and worked as a clerk for the town’s government. The Würmles then spread across the German states, reaching both Austria and Switzerland. The family is prominent in the areas in and around Heilbronn and Ulm, where they are still found today.

In modern times, the Würmle family is found in many countries around the world, each member having given it special cultural roots and ensured its perpetuation for future generations to remember. Some of the family members have achieved great success in their respective fields, and have come to be recognised and respected for their achievements. In this sense, it is no wonder that the Würmle family maintains a strong bond and collective sense of pride over its shared heritage.

Würmle: Where does the name Würmle come from?

The last name Würmle is common throughout many German-speaking countries today, particularly Austria and Germany. Würmle is believed to have originated in Bavaria, Germany and is thought to have derived from the German word 'wurm', meaning worm or snake.

In Austria, the Würmle name is most commonly found in the state of Vorarlberg, particularly around the areas of Lustenau, Götzis and Wolfurt. It can also be found in the Upper Austrian cities of Rohrbach and Eferding. During the Middle Ages, Würmle was among the most common surnames in the Ratannach district.

In Germany, the Würmle name is most commonly found in the southwestern states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse. Many members of the Würmle family have moved to these areas during the course of the 20th century. In some parts of Bavaria, the surname has also been Anglicized to Wormly or Wurmly.

Outside of Austria and Germany, many members of the Würmle family have made their home in the United States and Canada. It is common in parts of the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin and Illinois, as well as east of the Rockies in states such as Utah, Colorado and Washington.

Despite the changes in spelling over the centuries, the Würmle surname remains a popular choice among German-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Würmle

The surname Würmle is derived from the Germanic word 'würma,' meaning ‘worm.’ Its variants include Wurmle, Wurmlein, Wurmli, Wurmlinger, and Wormli. It is a rare and unique surname, likely developed as a nickname for someone who was very small or thin.

Variants of the surname Würmle in the United States include Warmlen, Wurm, Wurmlen, Wurms, Wurmly, Wurmlie, Wormly, Wormel, Wormley, Wormle, Wurmlee, Wurmleigh, Wurmli, Wurmlen, and Wurmble. In Germany, the surname is sometimes found as Worm and Worms.

The surnames Wurm and Wurms are also found in another area of Germany, as is the name Worms. In Austria, it is sometimes found written as Vorms or Vorm.

In some cases, the surname Würmle has been changed to Wormsley, Wormley, or Wormlich. This variant may have been adopted as a result of migration or when families moved from the original spelling of Würmle to a more modernized version.

In England, where the surname is derived from the English word ‘worm,’ variants of Würmle include Wheel, Wheal, and Weale. Some families may have adopted variations of the original name in order to make it easier to pronounce or to blend in better with the local societies.

In Russian, the surname is sometimes found as Vorm, Vormle, Vormli, Vermli, Vermle, Vurm, Vurms, and Vurmli. In Polish, the surname may appear as Wiermle, Vermle, Wormley, and Wormli.

In Spain, the surname can sometimes be found as Worms-Reyes. This is likely due to the fact that many Spanish people left their native Lucensia during the time of Moorish invasion in the 7th Century and settled in various areas of Spain.

Famous people with the name Würmle

• Adam Würmle: Adam Würmle is a German film director and screenwriter. He is most well known for directing the award-winning short film Back Home, which tells the story of a man returning home from the war, and for co-writing the satirical feature-length film Bon Voyage.
• Herbert Würmle: Herbert Würmle was a German screenwriter, author, and director. He was one of the most famous writers in 1940's Germany and his most famous film, called The Hour of the Wolf, was released just months before the start of World War II.
• Christoph Würmle: Christoph Würmle is a Swiss actor and director. He specialized in voice-overs for television shows and movies, and is well known for his roles in the television series Babylon Berlin as well as the movie The Condemned.
• Sabine Würmle: Sabine Würmle is a German author and editor. She is most well known for her series of young adult books, which include novels such as The Adventures of Little Mona and The Curious Case of the Missing Grandmother.
• Adalbert Würmle: Adalbert Würmle was a German author and natural scientist between the years of 1925-1933. He wrote on a variety of topics, most notably the history of technology and its impact on society.
• Walter Würmle: Walter Würmle was a successful German jeweller, architect and sculptor. He was most notable for his designs of modernist jewellery, and for his design of a sculpture that was included in the Nazi festivities for the opening of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

Other surnames

WürmliWürmlin