NameCensus.

UK surname

Werner

A German occupational surname referring to a maker or supplier of wer, a type of defensive fortification.

In the 1881 census there were 142 people recorded with the Werner surname, ranking it #16,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 569, ranked #9,045, up from #16,012 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St George in the East, London parishes and St Mary Whitechapel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bradford, Wolverhampton and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Werner is 586 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 300.7%.

1881 census count

142

Ranked #16,012

Modern count

569

2016, ranked #9,045

Peak year

2014

586 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Werner had 142 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,012 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 569 in 2016, ranked #9,045.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 327 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Werner surname distribution map

The map shows where the Werner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Werner surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Werner over time

The 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 46 #24,985
1861 historical 90 #22,312
1881 historical 142 #16,012
1891 historical 223 #13,800
1901 historical 327 #10,966
1911 historical 323 #10,842
1997 modern 358 #11,977
1998 modern 402 #11,295
1999 modern 435 #10,754
2000 modern 420 #10,998
2001 modern 425 #10,716
2002 modern 410 #11,226
2003 modern 383 #11,614
2004 modern 390 #11,495
2005 modern 401 #11,165
2006 modern 415 #10,928
2007 modern 432 #10,682
2008 modern 453 #10,345
2009 modern 471 #10,304
2010 modern 528 #9,651
2011 modern 541 #9,400
2012 modern 541 #9,294
2013 modern 575 #9,014
2014 modern 586 #8,954
2015 modern 580 #8,953
2016 modern 569 #9,045

Geography

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Where Werners are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St George in the East, London parishes, St Mary Whitechapel and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bradford, Wolverhampton, North Devon, Charnwood and Camden. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 St George in the East London (East Districts)
2 London parishes London 1
3 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bradford 019 Bradford
2 Wolverhampton 008 Wolverhampton
3 North Devon 013 North Devon
4 Charnwood 021 Charnwood
5 Camden 027 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Werner

These lists show first names that appear often with the Werner surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Werner

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Werner, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Werner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Werner household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Werner is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Werner is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Werner falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Werner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Werner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Werner

The surname Werner is a German occupational name derived from the Middle High German "wernære" or "wernaere," meaning a guard or defender. This name originated in the 12th century and was initially given to those who served as watchmen or overseers responsible for the protection of towns, villages, or castles.

The name is believed to have first emerged in the southern regions of Germany, particularly in areas such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also found in the neighboring German-speaking regions of Switzerland and Austria.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Werner can be found in the Codex Traditionum of the Monastery of St. Gallen, dating back to the 9th century. This manuscript mentions a certain "Wernher de Villach," indicating the presence of the name in the region of Villach, Austria, during that time.

In the 13th century, the name Werner appeared in the Annals of the Monastery of Quedlinburg, which recorded the name of a nobleman named Werner von Schwalenberg. This reference suggests that the name was also associated with the nobility and landed gentry.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Werner was borne by several notable individuals, including Werner von Kyburg (c. 1230–1284), a Swiss nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the conflicts between the House of Habsburg and the Swiss Confederates.

Another prominent figure was Werner von Urslingen (c. 1330–1384), a German mercenary captain and military leader who fought in various conflicts throughout Europe during the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the name Werner was associated with the German Renaissance humanist and scholar Johannes Werner (1468–1522), who was born in Nuremberg and is known for his contributions to the study of mathematics and astronomy.

During the 16th century, the surname was borne by Georg Werner (1589–1643), a German astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the development of early modern astronomy, including the study of comets and the discovery of the first known variable star.

In the 18th century, Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749–1817) was a German geologist and mineralogist who is considered a pioneer in the field of geology and is credited with developing the Neptunian theory of rock formation.

These examples illustrate the historical presence of the surname Werner across various regions of Germany and neighboring areas, as well as its association with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including nobility, military leaders, scholars, and scientists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Werner families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Werner surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 57 Werners recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.14x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 57 4.14x
Lancashire 25 1.53x
Kent 22 4.69x
Surrey 17 2.54x
Yorkshire 5 0.37x
Essex 4 1.47x
Cheshire 2 0.66x
Lincolnshire 2 0.91x
Midlothian 2 1.09x
Derbyshire 1 0.46x
Gloucestershire 1 0.37x
Hampshire 1 0.35x
Northumberland 1 0.49x
Sussex 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitechapel London in Middlesex leads with 11 Werners recorded in 1881 and an index of 81.12x.

Place Total Index
Whitechapel London 11 81.12x
St George In East 9 96.15x
St Pancras London 8 7.23x
Croydon 7 18.82x
East Wickham 6 1071.43x
Kirkdale 6 21.86x
Paddington London 5 9.89x
Barnes 4 141.34x
Clitheroe 4 83.33x
Deptford St Paul 4 11.05x
Lee 4 58.74x
Moss Side 4 46.57x
Tonbridge 4 23.63x
Walton On Hill 4 45.25x
West Ham 4 6.67x
Holy Trinity 3 9.15x
Hornsey 3 17.25x
Lancaster 3 30.90x
Towerof London London 3 681.82x
Battersea 2 3.95x
Camberwell 2 2.28x
Hammersmith London 2 5.90x
Hampstead London 2 9.34x
Hulme 2 5.87x
Islington London 2 1.50x
Rotherhithe 2 11.77x
Spitalfields London 2 19.34x
St Giles In Fields 2 42.19x
St Luke London 2 9.07x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.67x
Bisley 1 40.98x
Dover St James 1 48.54x
Ecclesfield 1 10.01x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.35x
Edinburgh St Georges 1 26.18x
Everton 1 1.92x
Fulshaw 1 178.57x
Great Grimsby 1 7.16x
Higher Bebington 1 51.55x
Lewisham 1 4.00x
Limehouse London 1 6.62x
Liverpool 1 1.01x
Middlesbrough 1 5.63x
Milton In Gravesend 1 14.20x
Newbold Dunston 1 48.78x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 9.43x
Portsmouth 1 15.41x
St Anne Soho London 1 12.74x
St George Hanover 1 5.57x
St Marylebone London 1 1.36x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 1 32.36x
Stone In Dartford 1 83.33x
Wadhurst 1 65.79x
Westminster St John 1 5.97x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Werner surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 7
Anna 4
Louisa 4
Annie 3
Eliza 3
Kate 3
Mary 3
Ellen 2
Harriet 2
Marie 2
Mina 2
Sarah 2
Adeline 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Antonie 1
Catharina 1
Clara 1
D'ORTE 1
Edith 1
Elisa 1
Elise 1
Emma 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Francisca 1
Frederica 1
Hildegard 1
Josephine 1
Lennie 1
Leopoldison 1
Liliam 1
Lilley 1
Lucy 1
Magdelena 1
Maria 1
Maud 1
Natalie 1
Pauline 1
Rosa 1
Susan 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Werner surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 12
William 6
George 4
Martin 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Henry 2
Julius 2
Paul 2
Philip 2
Robert 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Carl 1
Christian 1
Custave 1
Diedrich 1
Duke 1
E. 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Eliazu 1
Emile 1
Ernest 1
Eugen 1
Ewald 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Franklin 1
Fredrick 1
Gustar 1
J.P. 1
Jacob 1
Johann 1
Jules 1
Ludwig 1
Mary 1
Peter 1
Raoul 1
Saml. 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Werner surname: questions and answers

How common was the Werner surname in 1881?

In 1881, 142 people were recorded with the Werner surname. That placed it at #16,012 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Werner surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 569 in 2016. That gives Werner a modern rank of #9,045.

What does the Werner surname mean?

A German occupational surname referring to a maker or supplier of wer, a type of defensive fortification.

What does the Werner map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Werner bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.