Surname Wordin - Meaning and Origin

Wordin: What does the surname Wordin mean?

The last name Wordin is believed to be of English origin. It is thought to be derived from the Old English surname W(e)rdema. The earliest recorded use of the Wordin name was in 1147 during the rule of King Stephen, when William Wordin was recorded as a witness in the north of England. This suggests the family was likely established as a feudal tenant far back in the early Middle Ages, before the Norman Conquest.

The name Wordin is believed to mean "one who guarded or watched the homestead". As feudal lords were often absent from their estates it was necessary to appoint someone to watch the property. This position was known as a "watchman" and the surname Wordin may reflect this practice.

The surname Wordin may also reflect occupational origins. In England, many people took on the surname of their place of work or the job they had. For example a person who farmed or oversaw a farm might take the surname "Farmer" or "Reaping" or "Cunningham". It is possible that the surname Wordin may have derived from a similar practice and may refer to those who were employed to oversee an estate.

No matter its origin, the surname Wordin is a reminder of the family's history and place in England's past. Whether the family lived in an estate as a tenant, watched over one as a watchman, or worked in one in some capacity, the Wordin surname is a reminder of past generations and a meaningful part of the family's identity.

Wordin: Where does the name Wordin come from?

The Wordin surname is most commonly found in the United States today. In the 2000 US census, Wordin was the 12,891st most frequently occurring surname in the country. It is most strongly represented in the Northeastern states, especially in New Jersey and New York, though it does exist to some extent in other parts of the country, including Pennsylvania, California, and even as far away as Arkansas.

Wordin likely has its roots in the Germanic ethnic groups, as it is a Germanic-language surname. In fact, the first known Wordin on record appears in a 1570 court document in Erlangen, Germany. Over the centuries, the name has evolved in many small ways, with different spelling variants appearing. For instance, in the United States today, the variants include Wording, Werding, and Worden.

The Wordin name continues to be very common in the United States today and is most likely to be found in densely populated cities and neighborhoods. If you have a Wordin in your family tree, you can take pride in the fact that it is a surname that has been family tradition for centuries.

Variations of the surname Wordin

The surname Wordin is an anglicised spelling of the Irish and Scottish surname Warden. The Warden surname is derived from the Old English word “weard”, meaning to guard or protect. Variants of this spelling include Wardin, Wardon, Wardyn, Wardon, Werten, Wurden and Wirtin. In Scotland, the spelling Varden is also used.

In Ireland, Wordin (or Warden) is most commonly found in County Galway, although it is also located in County Cork and County Clare. It is also found in counties Down, Donegal, Derry and Fermanagh.

Other surnames of similar origin include Werden, Wearden, Wardena, Wirden, Wardlane and Worton. Furthermore, Wardell, Verdan, Verdant and Wartin are other variations of the original Warden name.

Given the variety of spellings, the surname Wordin likely has multiple origin points, and is used both historically and contemporarily by people with different family backgrounds.

Famous people with the name Wordin

• Jack Wordin: Jack Wordin is a public speaker, author, and the founder of Fusion Learning, Inc, a company that helps organizations to create and sustain an engaged and energized work force.
• Luke Wordin:Luke Wordin is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who was active in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Hannah Wordin:Hannah Wordin is an American actress, known for her performance in the films Kicking & Screaming and Road Trip.
• Bruce Wordin:Bruce Wordin is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former Saskatchewan politician.
• Bill Wordin:Bill Wordin is a former American basketball coach and former head coach of the University of San Diego men's basketball team.
• Jenn Wordin:Jenn Wordin is an American violist and music educator known for her work with the Toe Tapper Quartet and various production companies.
• Matty Wordin:Matty Wordin is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and producer, best known as the lead guitar player in the band Shafters.
• Bryan Wordin:Bryan Wordin is the former CEO of Social Wisconsin, a leading provider of online online consulting and media services and an early adopter of social media.
• Steve Wordin:Steve Wordin is a Canadian ice hockey player from Ontario, who currently plays for the American Hockey League's Utica Comets.
• Jonathan Wordin:Jonathan Wordin is an American author, adventure traveler, and television personality, best known for his NBC show, Real Wildness.

Other surnames

Wording