Surname Warwick - Meaning and Origin
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Warwick: What does the surname Warwick mean?
The surname Warwick originated from the Old English elements "wering," meaning "weir" or "fish trap," and "wic," meaning "settlement" or "village." Thus, it roughly translates to "settlement by the fish trap." This surname primarily carries geographical significance. It was originally used to denote people who hailed from places named Warwick, such as the county town of Warwickshire in England. The city's name was first recorded as "Weringwicum" in 914 AD and later evolved to Warwick. Over time, individuals moving from the town would be referred to as ‘of Warwick,’ which eventually became simply ‘Warwick’. Surnames were often derived from one's profession, location, or father’s name during medieval times, with geographical surnames like Warwick being among the most common. Consequently, the surname Warwick tells us about the ancestors' close association with areas called Warwick, rather than indicating a specific trade or personal characteristic.
Order DNA origin analysisWarwick: Where does the name Warwick come from?
Today, the surname Warwick is quite common throughout the British Isles and can be found in large numbers in the UK, Ireland, and some other parts of the world.
In the UK the surname Warwick is most often associated with counties such as Warwickshire, Worcester and the city of London, though it also has a significant presence in other areas. In Warwickshire the name has been present since at least the 11th century when the local barony of Warwick was established in 1088. Warwickshire provided the bulk of the family’s name-bearers during the Middle Ages and to this day the surname is still quite common in the county today.
In Ireland, the Warwick family were mainly associated with county Tipperary although some variants of the name such as Bourke, Warran and Warrander can be found more widely throughout different counties in Connaught and Leinster.
The surname can also be found in small numbers in Canada, Australia, the United States and New Zealand, having been taken there in the 19th and 20th centuries by migrants from the UK and Ireland. This means that the surname Warwick is quite widely dispersed throughout the English-speaking world today.
Variations of the surname Warwick
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Warwick include Warrick, Warwicke, Warwic, Warwix, Warwyk, Warwyke, Worwic, Worwicke, Werrick, Werwix, Worwyk, Werwyke, Worwicke, and Werwyk.
The name Warwick originates from the Old English word wer, which means weir or dam, and wick which means a settlement, typically clustered around a main body of water. So, together, the word literally means “dam village.” It is possibly derived from a place name in Warwickshire, England, referring to the town of Warwick.
Warwick has been a very popular name throughout the ages and has been found in records dating back to the 11th century. The earliest variants of the name were Werrick and Warrewik, with similar spellings appearing in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. In the United States, the spelling Warwick dates back to a William Warwick who was recorded as a “stranger” in Virginia in 1623.
Nowadays, the spelling variations generally break down into two distinct forms: Warrick and Warwick. Warrick is more likely to refer to individuals who have their roots in the British Isles, and Warwick to those who are more recent arrivals to the United States.
Famous people with the name Warwick
- Dionne Warwick: Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress, and TV show host who was born on December 12th, 1940. She has had a long and successful music career and has won numerous awards and accolades.
- Sarah Warwick: Sarah Warwick is a British actress who first appeared on the screen in 1961. She has appeared in films and TV shows such as The Avengers, Doctor Who, and Crocodile Dundee.
- Nigel Warwick: Nigel Warwick is an English actor who has appeared in films such as Braveheart, Romeo & Juliet, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Bourne Identity, and Star Trek: Insurrection.
- Steve Warwick: Steve Warwick is an English actor who has guest-starred in various TV shows such as Little House on the Prairie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Felicity.
- Dennis Warwick: Dennis Warwick is an English professional football referee who began officiating matches in the Football League in 1989.
- Grandma Warwick: Grandma Warwick is the stage name of the British rock and roll singer and actor Deryk Warren, who is best known for his roles in the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair.
- Gareth Warwick: Gareth Warwick is an English actor who has appeared in films such as The Borrowers, Spy Game, Cold Mountain, and Valiant.
- Anne Bancroft Warwick: Anne Bancroft Warwick is an English actress who has starred in films such as Spaced, This Is England, Pride & Prejudice, and Sunday.