UK surname
A surname derived from the German word "Ware," meaning goods or merchandise.
In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Waren surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 35, ranked #35,703, down from #22,617 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Peter, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waren is 267 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 54.5%.
1881 census count
77
Ranked #22,617
Modern count
35
2016, ranked #35,703
Peak year
1861
267 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Waren surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Waren surname density by area, 1911 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 | 146 | #13,157 |
| 1861 | historical | 267 | #9,290 |
| 1881 | historical | 77 | #22,617 |
| 1891 | historical | 132 | #19,976 |
| 1901 | historical | 46 | #29,047 |
| 1911 | historical | 115 | #20,951 |
| 1997 | modern | 41 | #33,552 |
| 1998 | modern | 33 | #34,532 |
| 1999 | modern | 33 | #34,610 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 28 | #35,139 |
| 2003 | modern | 24 | #35,552 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 28 | #35,510 |
| 2006 | modern | 31 | #35,467 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 32 | #35,610 |
| 2009 | modern | 35 | #35,545 |
| 2010 | modern | 33 | #35,794 |
| 2011 | modern | 32 | #35,831 |
| 2012 | modern | 31 | #35,876 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 33 | #35,803 |
| 2016 | modern | 35 | #35,703 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Peter, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841), London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. 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 Peter | Kent |
| 2 | Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) | Devon |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Waren 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 Waren, 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 Waren surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Waren 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, Waren 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 Waren is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Waren, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Waren" is believed to have originated in Germany, likely in the 14th or 15th century. It is derived from the Old German word "waren," which means "goods" or "merchandise." The name was likely given to someone who worked as a merchant, trader, or seller of goods.
In its earliest recorded instances, the name appeared in various old German documents and records, such as tax rolls, legal documents, and parish registers. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in a 1472 document from the town of Nuremberg, which mentions a "Hans Waren," likely a merchant or trader.
The name "Waren" was also associated with certain place names in Germany, particularly in regions where trade and commerce were prevalent. For instance, the town of Warendorf in North Rhine-Westphalia may have some connection to the name, as it translates to "village of the merchants."
Over the centuries, the name "Waren" has evolved and taken on different spellings, such as "Wahren," "Wahren," and "Waaren." Some notable individuals with this surname include:
1. Johann Gottfried Waren (1696-1771), a German engraver and etcher known for his intricate works depicting landscapes and architectural scenes.
2. Karl Friedrich Waren (1790-1853), a German composer and musician who served as the court composer for the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
3. Elise Waren (1818-1892), a German writer and poet whose works often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.
4. Wilhelm Waren (1837-1901), a German botanist and explorer who led several expeditions to South America, documenting and collecting numerous plant specimens.
5. Hildegard Waren (1903-1987), a German actress and theater director who was renowned for her performances in both classical and contemporary plays.
While the name "Waren" may have originated in Germany, over time, it has spread to other parts of Europe and beyond, reflecting the mobility and migration of people throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Waren 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. Lancashire leads with 29 Warens recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.30x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 29 | 3.30x |
| Surrey | 9 | 2.49x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 4.82x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 3.74x |
| Dorset | 5 | 10.28x |
| Norfolk | 4 | 3.51x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 4.00x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.40x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 2.38x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 1.55x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.87x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.43x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 2.18x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 7 Warens recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.79x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 7 | 14.79x |
| Horfield | 7 | 479.45x |
| Higher Booths | 6 | 377.36x |
| Aston | 5 | 9.71x |
| Barton Upon Irwell | 5 | 75.53x |
| Portland | 5 | 190.84x |
| Eccleston In Prescot | 4 | 90.50x |
| Farnworth | 4 | 75.90x |
| Norwich St Etheldred | 4 | 2500.00x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 4 | 15.48x |
| Liverpool | 3 | 5.62x |
| Denton | 2 | 102.56x |
| Everton | 2 | 7.14x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 2 | 16.13x |
| Old Stratford | 2 | 188.68x |
| St Columb Minor | 2 | 285.71x |
| Bedwellty | 1 | 10.57x |
| Blackburn | 1 | 4.27x |
| Fulbrook | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.39x |
| Little Hoole | 1 | 909.09x |
| Rusholme | 1 | 42.55x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 4.28x |
| Southwark St John | 1 | 44.05x |
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 23.64x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.68x |
| Thrapston | 1 | 285.71x |
| Walton On Thames | 1 | 60.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Waren 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 Waren 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 Waren households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 20 |
| General Laborer | 2 |
| Spinner Cotton Mill | 2 |
| Acrobat | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carpenter & Joiner | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coal Hawker | 1 |
| Coal Topper In Blast Furnace (Iron) | 1 |
| Cotton Operative & Scholar | 1 |
| Dk Lab | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Drover | 1 |
| Factory Operative (Cotton) | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Gold Cutter | 1 |
| Hat Trimmer | 1 |
| Hatter | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer In I Works | 1 |
| Music Teacher | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Photographer | 1 |
| Railway Labourer | 1 |
| Rover Cotton Mill | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Ships Carpenter | 1 |
| Silver Warehouse Girl (Other 21) | 1 |
| Stonemasons Wife | 1 |
| Throstle Spinner Cotton | 1 |
| Watchman | 1 |
| Wharf Laborer | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Wood Turner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Waren surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 35 in 2016. That gives Waren a modern rank of #35,703.
A surname derived from the German word "Ware," meaning goods or merchandise.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Waren 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.