UK surname
A surname potentially derived from the German word "wanne" meaning a shallow tub or basin.
In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Waner surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 21, ranked #36,596, down from #32,243 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Elmswell and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waner is 225 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 110.0%.
1881 census count
10
Ranked #32,243
Modern count
21
2016, ranked #36,596
Peak year
1861
225 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Waner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Waner surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 225 | #10,843 |
| 1881 | historical | 10 | #32,243 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 10 | #32,609 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 30 | #34,939 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2004 | modern | 20 | #36,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 17 | #36,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 18 | #36,682 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 19 | #36,668 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 21 | #36,561 |
| 2014 | modern | 21 | #36,577 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 21 | #36,596 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Elmswell, St Dunstan Stepney, Henstridge and Halstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Elmswell | Suffolk |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Henstridge | Somerset |
| 5 | Halstead | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Waner surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Waner, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Waner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Waner household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Waner is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Waner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Waner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Waner has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged in the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old High German word "wanen," which meant "to think" or "to believe." The name may have originally been used to refer to someone who was considered wise or thoughtful.
In the late Middle Ages, the name appeared in various records across Germanic regions, often spelled as "Waner," "Wahner," or "Wähner." One of the earliest known references to the name is found in a manuscript from the city of Cologne, dated to 1387, which mentions a "Johannes Waner."
By the 16th century, the name had spread to other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands and Switzerland. In the Dutch province of Friesland, there are records of a family named "Waner" residing in the village of Workum as early as 1542.
One of the most notable historical figures with the surname Waner was Johann Paul Waner, a German theologian and philosopher who lived from 1623 to 1688. He served as a professor at the University of Jena and was known for his writings on ethics and natural law.
Another individual of note was Anna Maria Waner, a German painter and engraver who lived from 1670 to 1743. She was renowned for her intricate etchings and engravings, many of which depicted religious scenes and biblical themes.
In the 18th century, the name began to appear in other parts of Europe, including France and England. One notable bearer of the name was John Waner, an English writer and poet who lived from 1745 to 1812. He is best known for his collection of poems titled "The Wanderer's Harp."
Moving into the 19th century, there was a notable family of musicians from Germany who bore the surname Waner. The brothers Johann (1795-1871) and Michael (1798-1876) were both accomplished violinists and composers, and they helped to establish the Waner name in the world of classical music.
Another prominent figure was Karl Waner, a German-born architect who lived from 1825 to 1887. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in the city of Vienna, including the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Austrian National Library).
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Waner surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 4 Waners recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.11x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradfield in Yorkshire leads with 2 Waners recorded in 1881 and an index of 540.54x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bradfield | 2 | 540.54x |
| St Botolph Aldersgate | 2 | 1818.18x |
| Banstead | 1 | 769.23x |
| Brandon | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Eastbourne | 1 | 133.33x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 41.67x |
| Mickleover | 1 | 2000.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 19.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Waner surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Waner surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Waner households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| City Police Constable | 1 |
| City Police Constable Wife | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Genl Servt | 1 |
| Lab Miller | 1 |
| Nurse (Dom) | 1 |
| Nurse Child | 1 |
| Pedler | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Waner surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 21 in 2016. That gives Waner a modern rank of #36,596.
A surname potentially derived from the German word "wanne" meaning a shallow tub or basin.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Waner bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.