Surname Wharrie - Meaning and Origin
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Wharrie: What does the surname Wharrie mean?
The surname Wharrie is believed to be of Scottish origin. The name is derived from the old Scottish term ‘wharfe’, which refers to a river crossing point. It is thought to be a habitational or topographical name for someone living near a wharfe or wharf, a Scottish word for a dock or pier. It is also suggested that the name derived from the area near Wharfe in Lancashire.
Alternatively, the name could be derived from 'whare' meaning "a house" indicating that the family were builders or cottage owners making their living from building.
The name first appeared in Scotland and Northern England during the 16th century, becoming more widespread during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is believed to be a branch of the MacKerlie family, a clan from Northern Ayrshire. During the 19th century the Wharrie name spread throughout the North of England.
Today the name Wharrie can be found in many countries throughout the world, including Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada, the United States and Australia. It is believed to have more than 2000 bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisWharrie: Where does the name Wharrie come from?
The last name Wharrie is most commonly found in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Nova Scotia, two provinces where many of the earliest Wharries settled. There is also a significant presence of this last name in Maine, where some of the first Wharries to arrive in the United States lived.
Today, variations of the Wharrie name, such as Warry, Warrye, Wharry, Wharrye, Wharrys, and Wharrington, can be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The earliest known record of the Wharrie family is in Scotland, where they were said to have descended from the Dalriadan Scots. Some members of the family left Scotland in the 1600s, possibly due to religious or political persecution. They sailed across the Atlantic, settling first in northern Ireland before continuing on to Nova Scotia and Ontario in the 1700s.
Maine also saw an influx of Wharries in the early 1800s, as more of the family members moved to the United States. The population of Wharries in Maine grew gradually over the next century before finally slowing down in the 1940s.
Overall, this name has had a unique history that has been traced back to Scotland. Today it is most common in northern Canada, particularly in provinces like Ontario and Nova Scotia, and can also be found in the United States in Maine and other regions.
Variations of the surname Wharrie
The surname Wharrie can be found in several variations of spelling, including Warrie, Warrey, Warry, Waarrie, Wary, Warey, Weary, and Whaarrie.
Despite the variance in spelling, all of the surnames listed are believed to share the same root. According to various sources, Wharrie is thought to be a northern English occupational surname, likely derived from the Middle English ‘ware’ meaning ‘weir’. This term was used to describe a type of dam built across a river or stream to impound water for milling machinery. Because of this, the surname Wharrie likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who worked in such a capacity, or associated with one who did.
The presence of the surname in North England is also supported by its common regional variants. Warrey and Warry were commonly found in Lancashire, Weary in Cumberland, and Warrie in Roxburghshire, Scotland.
Another important variation to consider is that of the surname Werry. While similar in spelling and pronunciation, some researchers suggest Werry to be a variation of Wharrie rather than a separate surname. However, it is also possible that Werry has an independent origin, being derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name ‘Widri’.
In addition to these regional variants, it is important to note that the surname Wharrie has also more recently been distorted or anglicized into anglicized spellings. Some examples include Wherry, which is found mostly in the United States, and Wharfield, Warfield, and Werfield, the last of which was used as an alternative spelling of the surname in the 19th century.
Overall, these numerous spellings and regional varieties clearly demonstrate the far-reaching scope of the surname Wharrie and its many related forms.
Famous people with the name Wharrie
- Richard Wharrie: Scottish actor known for his roles in “Emmerdale” and “Doctor Who”
- Charles Wharrie: former Scottish footballer
- Robert Wharrie: American sprinter who competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics
- Marjorie Wharrie: Canadian author
- Tony Wharrie: British Conservative Member of Parliament
- Alex Wharrie: Scottish cricketer
- C. Gregory Wharrie: American homilist
- Steve Wharrie: Australian entertainer and former AFL footballer
- Diana Wharrie: Canadian politician
- David Wharrie: Founding member of the English music group The Zombies