Surname Wernly - Meaning and Origin
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Wernly: What does the surname Wernly mean?
The surname Wernly has Germanic origins. Wernly likely derived from the Old High German term Wernli, first recorded in historical records from the 13th century.
The term Wernli can roughly be translated as “courageous”, implying a reputation for strength, stalwartness, and fortitude. In German-speaking areas, the surname Wernly likely began as a byname bestowed upon those who had exhibited noteworthy bravery in some form or another - for instance, a warrior, a knight, or even a sympathetic defender.
Over time, Wernly has come to symbolize the strong, independent qualities of those holding the surname. It is thought to be linked to many well-known cultural values, such as patriotism, bravery, and hard-working determination.
The Wernly family can be traced back to many countries in Europe, originally associated with regions where German was spoken such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Today, people bearing the surname have spread across many areas of the world, such as within the United States, Canada, and even South Africa.
No matter where members of the Wernly family reside, however, each nameholder carries unique, noble qualities, deeply rooted in their ancestral heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisWernly: Where does the name Wernly come from?
The last name Wernly is most commonly found in the United States. According to the 2020 US Census Bureau, approximately 740 people bear the surname. The majority of people with the last name Wernly live in Ohio, where there are over 230 people with the last name. Other locations with a significant population of Wernly's include Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan, with roughly 210, 140, and 100 people, respectively. The surname is also common in New York, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
A quick online search of the surname reveals that the last name is German in origin and is derived from the German name Wörnle or Wörnlein, meaning "little leafless twig." As such, it is thought that the original bearer of the surname was someone from a rural area.
Although research shows the last name of Wernly is not very popular today, records indicate it has been in use for centuries and likely dates back to the days of the Holy Roman Empire. It is interesting to note that the majority of Wernly's still live in the Midwestern states, indicating that the family likely moved to this area in the nineteenth century, during the German immigration wave.
In conclusion, the last name Wernly is not especially common today, although it is still found in certain areas of the United States. It is thought to have German roots and likely dates back centuries, as records indicate it was in use during the time of the Holy Roman Empire.
Variations of the surname Wernly
The surname Wernly can trace its origin back to the German region of Bavaria. The name is derived from the Old German word "werinli," which means "guardian willow tree." This indicated that an ancestor of the Wernly family was likely employed as a woodsman or in some other capacity related to a wooded area.
There are several variants of this name, including Wernle, Wernli, Wernlye, Wernney, Wirne, Wernely and Wernlie. With time and migration, some families have taken on the spelling Wurney, Wurney, Wurnly and Wornley.
The alternate spellings of Wernly point to the same origin of the surname. Along with its variants, the Wernly surname can also be found spelled as Wörnle, Wernlee, Wörnele, Wörnli, Wörnly, Wörnley, Wirnlee and Wirnley. It is also possible that the name was modified slightly upon arrival in the United States, due to mispronunciations and misunderstandings upon entry.
The Wernly surname is shared by people in countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, France, Canada, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. The surname has evolved into many different names in each of these countries, and the family's origin can be traced back to the Bavarian region of Germany.
Famous people with the name Wernly
- John Wernly: American actor who is best known for his role as Malcolm in the 1995 adventure-comedy filmAbove the Rim
- Robert Wernly: American artist known for his modernist, expressionistic oil paintings
- Isaac Wernly: American patriot who fought in the Revolutionary War
- Brad Wernly: American constitutional attorney and political commentator
- Edward Wernly: American stage actor in the early 20th century
- Nick Wernly: American sculptor known for his large bronze and stone sculptures
- Bill Wernly: American race car driver and winner of the 1957 Indianapolis 500
- Peter Wernly: German symphonic conductor and composer
- Louise Wernly: British-born American interior designer and founder of the Wernly Design Group
- Bruce Wernly: American businessman and philanthropist, instrumental in the founding of the Wernly Foundation