Explore the Family Name Wormwood
The meaning of Wormwood
English: possibly a topographic name forsomeone who lived where wormwood (Artemesia absinthium) grew, Middle English wormod, or a metonymic occupational name for a herbalist. In the Middle Ages wormwood was variously used as a tonic and vermifuge, in brewing ale, and to protect clothes and linen from moths and fleas.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Wormwood in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Wormwood decreased in popularity between 2000 and 2010. The ranking of the name dropped from 55,971 in 2000 to 58,735 in 2010, marking a decrease of approximately 4.94%. However, the count, or the number of individuals with the Wormwood surname, saw a slight increase of about 0.88%, growing from 342 in 2000 to 345 in 2010. Despite this growth, the proportion of Wormwoods per 100,000 people declined by 7.69%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #55,971 | #58,735 | -4.94% |
| Count | 342 | 345 | 0.88% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.13 | 0.12 | -7.69% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Wormwood
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates there were some shifts in the ethnic identities associated with the Wormwood surname from 2000 to 2010. Notably, the proportion of individuals identifying as White decreased by 3.29%, falling from 95.91% in 2000 to 92.75% in 2010. During the same period, the percentage of people with the Wormwood surname identifying as Black grew from 0% to 3.48%. The proportion identifying with two or more races remained relatively stable, decreasing slightly from 1.75% to 1.74%. There were no recorded Wormwoods who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.91% | 92.75% | -3.29% |
| Black | 0% | 3.48% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 1.75% | 1.74% | -0.57% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |