Surname Warre - Meaning and Origin
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Warre: What does the surname Warre mean?
The surname Warre is of English origin. The name most likely originates from various ancient English places, such as in Dorset, Devon, and Wiltshire, where the name may have originally been spelled “De la Warre” or “Le Warre.” This family name was adopted by certain Norman noblemen and families who came to England after the Conquest of 1066.
The interpretation of the original name carries a number of possible meanings. One explanation is that it was derived from the Old French word "guerre," meaning "guard." This could indicate a person or family in a position of protection and guardianship, such as a watchman or warden of a fortress. Another possibility is that the name is derived from the Old French word "werra,” meaning “layoff” or “separation.” In this case, the surname could have indicated a negotiator or mediator of disputes.
Since medieval times, the Warre surname has been found throughout England, sometimes spelled Ware, War, Warr, or Wyrr. As with many English surnames, variants have appeared over time due to changes in pronunciation and spelling conventions. During the 19th century, the name became more widespread as its families migrated to the United States and other countries around the world. The Warre family crest is a lion standing upon three escallops. The Warre surname carries the honor of being associated with such prestigious titles as the Earl of Warrington and the Baron de Brefni.
Order DNA origin analysisWarre: Where does the name Warre come from?
The last name Warre is most often found in England and Ireland. It is a variation on the older Smith, Warr, and War name.
Today, the Warre name is known to exist across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The highest concentration of people bearing the Warre name can be found in England, where it ranks roughly 8,400th most common. In Ireland, the Warre surname is among the top 2,000 most common.
In the United States, the Warre name is a fairly uncommon name. It only ranks as the 17,854th most common, but this still suggests that over 11,000 people living in the US bear that name. The name is the most common in Utah, followed by New York, 1995 Minnesota, and Illinois.
In Canada, the Warre name is much less common than in the US, ranking only 22,833rd most common. It is most common in the Yukon province and is shared by fewer than 1,000 individuals.
The Warre last name is not particularly common in Australia, though the Three Brothers from Warr of Devon did emigrate down under and it is associated with the island nation today. As for New Zealand, the Warre surname is not popular there either. The name is generally synonymous with England and Ireland, where it has been popular for centuries.
Variations of the surname Warre
The surname Warre is found in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Wales, the United States, and Canada. It is thought to originate from the Old English word “weard” meaning “guardian.” Other variants of Warre include Ware, Waer, Wear, Weare, Weer, Wier, Wyr, Wyre, and Weir.
In England, Warre is often pronounced "ware", and the variant Weer is pronounced "weir". In Scotland, it becomes “Wear”, while in France it is pronounced “Varr”.
Warre can also be spelled War, Warr, Waar, and Waarr. Different countries have their own spelling variations for this surname. For example, in the United States “Warre” can become “Wear”, and in Canada “Waer” can become “Ware”.
The surnames derived from Warre include Vair, Vaire, Vares, Varesse, Var, Vale, Val, Vall, Valles, Valls, Vaus, Vause, Vaugh, Vay, Vayes, Veers, Veeer, Veree, Vere, Vey, Vocas, Voyce, and Warres.
Overall, Warre is a unique surname which can be found all over the world. It has many different spellings and many different variants. Each country it is found in also has its own spellings and variants of the surname.
Famous people with the name Warre
- Jack Warre: British actor who appeared in numerous films and television projects, including 'The King's Speech' and 'Game of Thrones'.
- Sarah Warre: British actress and performer who is best known for her roles in 'The Hollow Crown' and in 'Eden Lake'
- Mark Warre: British film director, producer and screenwriter who has worked on a variety of independent films, including 'The Landing' and 'The Searcher'
- Stephen Warre: British-American comic book artist and illustrator who has worked on numerous Marvel and DC comics, including 'Hawkman', 'Green Arrow' and 'Iron Man'.
- Henry Warre: British army officer who rose to the rank of major-general during the Crimean and Indian Mutiny wars. He later served as the Governor of Quebec.
- Julian Warre: British barrister and philanthropist who served as President of the Incorporated Law Society from 1901 to 1905.
- Alfred Warre: British Conservative Party politician who held various ministerial positions in the early 20th century, including Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury.
- Hugh Warre: British soldier who served in the Crimean War and later in the Indian Mutiny, rising to the rank of major-general.
- John Warre: British army officer, magistrate and entomologist who fought in many of the conflicts of the 19th century, including the Indian Mutiny, before turning to public service and scientific research.
- Robert Warre: British politician, diplomat and art-collector who was Governor of Sierra Leone from 1929 to 1932 and the first British representative at the League of Nations.