Surname Werden - Meaning and Origin
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Werden: What does the surname Werden mean?
The surname Werden is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word ‘wurdi’ meaning ‘to become’. The German root word ‘wurtheim’ also exists, which means to protect. It’s believed that the original holders of this name might have had a protective role in their local community.
Werden is a fairly rare last name and can largely be found amongst German and Austrian people living in the Western parts of Central Europe. It could also be related to the surname Worthy, which is a common variation of Werden found in Britain and other English-speaking countries.
Throughout the years, the Werden surname has gone through some minor typographical variations such as Weerden, Verden, and Wereden.
The Werden family is said to have originated from the medieval kingdom of Bavaria, now an integral part of modern Germany. Beyond that, some believe that the earliest Germanic tribes – like the Franks and Burgundians – are the root of the Werden family.
Although it is a relatively uncommon last name, there have been prominent members of the Werden family throughout history who have made a difference in their respective fields. One such person was George G. Werden, an American businessman and civil servant who served as the US Commissioner of Patents from 1904 to 1907.
Order DNA origin analysisWerden: Where does the name Werden come from?
The Last Name Werden is mainly found in Europe but can be traced to countries as far away as the United States and Canada.
The surname Werden is of German origin. It is mostly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it is most common. The earliest records of the name trace back to the 12th century in Germany, where it was found in Hanover. Over time, the surname made its way to other regions of Europe and eventually to North America.
In the United States, several people with the last name Werden have been identified in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, mainly in the Midwest and the Appalachian region. Werden is an uncommon last name in the United States and Canada with only around 1,600 people reported with the surname in the US in 2020, according to the US Census Bureau.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is less commonly used but still present. There are only about 500 people reported with the surname Werden in the UK in 2021. The surname is almost exclusively found in the northern part of the country, with around half of the population in Manchester.
Despite being rare, the surname Werden is still alive today. With its roots tracing back to Germany, it is found across many countries, including Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Werden
The surname Werden has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, depending on the language and country. In German, Werden is also spelled Wuerden or Wirden. In Dutch, the spelling is Wardem or Wirdem. In Scandinavian languages, the surname appears as Verden, Verd or Vird. In Dutch, the surname has been recorded as Warden and Worden.
In English, the surname has been spelled Wearden, Winton, Woorden, Wherdin, Woirden, Wirden, Wherden and Wardon. The French variant is Verdun, and the Italian version is Verdo.
In Irish, the surname has been recorded as Vardam, Wardam and Wordam. In Polish, it is recorded as Wiryda, and in Spanish as Verda, Verdant and Verdon.
In Middle and Eastern European countries, there are several variations of the same origin, including Vered, Verde, Verdena, Varda, Vaskovsky, Wernd, Vehrendt, Vierd, Kasovsky and Verheld.
Other alternative spellings, such as Verd, Worden and Werden, are found in the Netherlands and elsewhere. Additionally, it is possible to see slight spelling variations, such as Werdn, Werndum, Werdene, Virdinga, Werdn and Wirdenne, which come from old local dialects or regional accent influences.
It is also likely to find surnames with the same origin which are not spelled exactly the same, such as Werd, Verdon, Worfond, Verdayne, Vardon and Werdene.
Famous people with the name Werden
- Emily Werden: Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and poet, active since 2008.
- Rika Werden: Austrian television personality and professional cyclist.
- Jimmy Werden: A professional American football quarterback who played for the New York Jets from 1996 to 2001.
- Heather Werden: Actress and model, best known for her roles in the horror films "Witch Hunt" and "The Exorcism of Janiebeck".
- Adam Werden: Award-winning director and screenwriter, whose films include "I Love You, Man!" and "The Town".
- Greg Werden: Former MLB catcher and slugger who played for the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs.
- Charles Werden: Broadway composer and songwriter.
- Willard Werden: Award-winning landscape architect and conservationist.
- Paul Edward Werden: British actor, best known for his role as James Tiller in the ITV drama series "The Bill".
- Chip Werden: Professional skateboarder, active since the mid-1990s.