Surname Were - Meaning and Origin
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Were: What does the surname Were mean?
The last name Were is an English patronymic surname, derived from a personal name such as Werner or Warren which were popular in the Middle Ages. The surname is considered topographical, referring to someone who dwelled in or near a marsh or moor.
The given name Werner originates from the old Germanic name Warinheri, meaning "defender of the army" or "guard of the army" which was likely derived from the collective name of the people who inhabited that marshy region. The spelling of the original personal name evolved over time, eventually becoming Werner in Germany and Warren in England. It is reported that the various spellings of the name appear in records from the 17th century onward.
Particular branches of the Were family can be traced back to specific regions. The Weirs of Pinkney and Cornton in Peeblesshire, Scotland, have traced their line of descent back to the 14th century; whilst the Were family of Ryme Intrinseca in Dorset, England, have documented records dating back to the 16th century.
Overall, the last name Were embodies the ancient roots of the family and is a reminder of the descendants' unique heritage. Whether the family roots go back to Germany or England, the surname Were is a testament to the ongoing legacy of its bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisWere: Where does the name Were come from?
The Were surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, specifically in England and Wales. It is more common in the North and South of England than in the Midlands. It is also relatively common in Wales, where it is indicated by the spelling ‘Gwre’. It is possible that further afield in Commonwealth countries such as Canada and in the United States, the Were surname may be present.
The origin of Were is likely Old English and is thought to be derived from the personal name ‘Wer’ or ‘Wēr’, meaning ‘wary’. As a personal name it was likely used as an epithet to identify someone as being particularly vigilant or circumspect. The Were surname is also likely an occupational name, identifying a hunter, specifically a man known for his skill in tracking animals.
The first written record of the Were surname dates to 1281 in Yorkshire, England. It is a reference to Adam le Werr. Other early recordings include Adam le Werer referred to in the 1282 Assize Rolls of Worcestershire and John le Werre mentioned in the Writs of Parliament of 1301-2.
Overall, the Were surname is quite common, particularly in England. While there is potential the surname is present elsewhere, the highest concentrations are in England and Wales.
Variations of the surname Were
The surname Were has a few variants in spelling and derivations that come from the same source. These variants are War, Warr, Ware, and Wareh.
The surname Were, War, Warr, Ware, and Wareh originate from an Old English term meaning “weir” or “dam”. This comes from the Old English word “wær” meaning “to dam or enclose land with a bank” and “weall” meaning “a rampart or even a border or a field boundary”. These concepts were often found in England during the Middle Ages, and the family name was often given to those who worked in the weir industry.
The English surname Were is also found in various other spellings and derivations, including War, Warr, Ware, Wareh, Wares, Wareing, Voore, Vaire, Voeri, De Waer, De War, and De Ware.
The surname Wair or Waer is a Scottish variant of Were, derived from the Old Norse personal name “Varr” which meant “defender”. The surname Waer was first recorded in the 13th century and is found mainly in the Scottish Borders region.
The surname De Waer, De War, and De Ware is likely to be derived from the Norman personal name ‘Warin’ or ‘Waren’. It is thought that this variant of the family name came to England with the invasion of the Normans in 1066.
In some cases, the surname Were can be an anglicization of several Jewish surnames, including Wehr, Wehre, Vier, Viere, Viren, and Ver. These surnames are all derived from the German word “wir”.
Overall, the surname Were, as well as its variations, is a very old surname with numerous variations in spelling and derivation varying across countries and languages.
Famous people with the name Were
- Tommy Were, Australian professional footballer
- Tracey Were, New Zealand Organised Crime and Drug Foundation Chief Executive
- Rhys Were, English actor and comedian
- Alan Were, British computer scientist and former Director of the Cadbury Research Library at the University of Birmingham
- Marilyn Waring, New Zealand politician
- Carol Were, Kenyan politician
- Nick Were, Canadian film and television actor
- Jane Were, Kenyan lawyer and human rights activist
- Mark Were, Australian professional soccer player
- Arthur Were, Kenyan businessman and civil servant