UK surname
An English surname derived from the Old French "guarenne", meaning a game park or hunting ground.
In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Warrens surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #30,215 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hedingham, Castle, Bakewell and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Warrens is 109 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8.3%.
1881 census count
24
Ranked #30,215
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
109 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Warrens surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Warrens surname density by area, 1861 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 | 10 | #31,497 |
| 1861 | historical | 109 | #19,693 |
| 1881 | historical | 24 | #30,215 |
| 1891 | historical | 56 | #29,638 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 19 | #35,928 |
| 1998 | modern | 19 | #36,009 |
| 1999 | modern | 18 | #36,151 |
| 2000 | modern | 19 | #36,007 |
| 2001 | modern | 19 | #35,866 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2004 | modern | 18 | #36,245 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 17 | #36,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 25 | #36,227 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hedingham, Castle, Bakewell, London parishes, Exeter St Paul, Bradninch and Phillack. 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 | Hedingham, Castle | Essex |
| 2 | Bakewell | Derbyshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Exeter St Paul, Bradninch | Devon |
| 5 | Phillack | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Warrens 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 Warrens, 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 Warrens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Warrens 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, Warrens 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 Warrens is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Warrens, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Warrens has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "warenne," meaning a game preserve or hunting ground. This term originally referred to areas of land that were set aside for breeding and hunting rabbits and other small game.
The name is believed to have been initially adopted by those who were employed as wardens or keepers of these warrens, responsible for maintaining and overseeing the game reserves. Over time, the surname evolved from its occupational roots to become a hereditary family name.
Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name Warrens can be found in historical documents such as the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire from the late 12th century, where individuals with the name are mentioned in connection with their duties as warren keepers.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname was Sir Ralph de Warrenne, a Norman baron who lived during the 11th century. He was a close companion of William the Conqueror and played a significant role in the Norman conquest of England in 1066.
Another individual of note was John Warrens, born in 1515, who served as a Member of Parliament for Rye, a town in East Sussex, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century.
In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Henry Warrens (1634-1695) was a respected clergyman and author, known for his work "The Doctrine of the Church of England Concerning the Adoration of Our Blessed Saviour in the Holy Eucharist."
Moving into the 18th century, we find Sir George Warrens (1722-1801), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the American Revolutionary War and was knighted for his service.
Finally, in the 19th century, Joseph Warrens (1819-1891) was a notable English industrialist and philanthropist, who made significant contributions to the development of the coal mining industry in South Yorkshire.
These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Warrens who have left their mark throughout history, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Warrens 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. Glamorgan leads with 5 Warrens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.27x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glamorgan | 5 | 12.27x |
| Derbyshire | 4 | 10.92x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.71x |
| Devon | 3 | 6.16x |
| Essex | 2 | 4.33x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 4.17x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.25x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 4.54x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.27x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.88x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gelligaer in Glamorgan leads with 5 Warrens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 537.63x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gelligaer | 5 | 537.63x |
| Buxton | 4 | 1290.32x |
| Hackney London | 3 | 22.87x |
| Christchurch | 2 | 192.31x |
| Exeter St Sidwell | 2 | 178.57x |
| West Ham | 2 | 19.61x |
| Chudleigh | 1 | 666.67x |
| Islington London | 1 | 4.41x |
| Lilbourne | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 11.93x |
| Thames Ditton | 1 | 416.67x |
| Wouldham | 1 | 1000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Warrens 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 Warrens 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 Warrens households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Agent (Insurance) | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| China Dealer | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Late Mariner | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Stock Brokers Clerk | 1 |
| Stock Exchange (Broker) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Warrens surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Warrens a modern rank of #36,254.
An English surname derived from the Old French "guarenne", meaning a game park or hunting ground.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Warrens 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.