Contents [hide]

Ware History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Ware History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Ware surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived near a dam or weir on a river. Ware is a local surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Other types of local surnames include topographic surnames, which could be given to a person who lived beside any physical feature, such as a hill, stream, church or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties. This surname comes from the Old English words wær and wer, which mean dam, or weir. The surname Ware may also refer to people who came from a place named Ware. A third interpretation of the derivation of this surname comes from the Old English word, war(e), which means wary, or cautious. In this sense, the surname would have been given to someone who was of a cautious disposition. Members of the Ware family settled in Devon, prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Early Origins of the Ware family

The surname Ware was first found in Devon where the first record of the family was Herebertus la Guerre in the Pipe Rolls of 1179. A few years later, John la Werre, la Guerre was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1187 and 1195 in Gloucestershire. The name was "originally de la werre, de la guerre, 'of the war', a warrior." 1

"It was formerly prefixed by the particles De la, as in the ancient family De la Warr." 2

"Sir Roger de la Warr, the third Baron, son and successor of John la Warr, one of the commanders of Cressy, shared himself in the glory Poictiers, and took a leading part in the capture of the French king. With reference to this exploit, it is recorded that much contention took place, as he defended himself with great valour; and the pressure upon him becoming great, such as knew him cried out, 'Sir, surrender, or you are dead;' where- upon he yielded, according to Froisard, to Sir Dennis Morbeck, a knight of Artois, in the English service; but being forced from that captain, more than ten knights and esquires claimed the honour of taking the royal prisoner. Among these, the pretensions of Sir Roger la Warr, and Sir John Pelham (ancestor of the Pelhams, Dukes of Newcastle, and of the Lords Yarborough and Pelham) having been acknowledged the strongest, Lord de la Warre had, in commemoration of so valiant an exploit, the crampet, or chape, of the captive prince's sword; and Sir John Pelham had the buckle of a belt as a memento of the same achievement. His lordship continued for several years after Poictiers in the French wars, and acquired in every campaign an augmentation of renown. " 3

"William de la War, and Amabel his wife, occur in 1194 in Surrey and Warwickshire (Rotuli Curiae Regis). Dugdale commences the pedigree with John La Warre, who about twelve years afterwards received from King John the Manor of Bristolton, a part of the Honour of Gloucester, and died in 1212. His son Jordan joined the revolt of the Barons, and though he returned to his allegiance in 1215, Fulk de Bréant and William de Cantilupe being sureties for 'his future Fidelity,' was again in arms against the Crown in his old age, and only made his peace after the 'murder of Evesham, for battle,' says one chronicler, 'none it was.' A second Sir John de la Warr, styled junior, and most probably his brother, was one of the two wardens of Kenilworth Castle, and was slain by an arrow shot during the siege." 4

Another source claims the name was Norman in origin: "from Gar or Garde, near Corbeil, Isle of France. Ingelram de Warda occurs in Northamptonshire 1130, and Ralph de Gar in Norfolk, temp. Henry II. In 1296 and 1280 Stephen de Ware and Thomas de Ware are mentioned as holding fiefs [in Norfolk.] From the latter descended the Lords of Tottington, Pickenham and Dudlington." 5

The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list Henry atte Warr and the Lancashire Feet of Fines list John la Warre in 1310. 6

Early History of the Ware family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ware research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1284, 1297, 1342, 1588, 1594, 1632, 1666, 1772, 1784, 1798, 1803, 1804, 1806, 1838, 1839, 1841, 1846, 1847, 1851 and 1853 are included under the topic Early Ware History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ware Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Ware include Ware, Wares, Delaware, Delawarr and others.

Early Notables of the Ware family

Notables of the family at this time include

Sir James Ware (1594-1666), a noted historian and Irish Auditor-General; and Hugh Ware (ca.1772-1846), a prominent United Irishman in the field in 1798, and became a colonel in Napoleon's army

Ware Ranking

In the United States, the name Ware is the 532^nd most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 7 However, in Australia, the name Ware is ranked the 671^st most popular surname with an estimated 5,818 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Ware family to Ireland

Some of the Ware family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ware migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Ware Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Esaw DeLa Ware, who landed in Virginia in 1623 9
Robert Ware who settled in Massachusetts in 1630
William Ware who settled in Virginia in 1641
Robert Ware, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1642 9
William Ware, who arrived in New England in 1643 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ware Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Caleb Ware, who landed in Virginia in 1703 9
Martin Ware, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 9

Ware Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Ware, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 9
Hardy Ware, who landed in Texas in 1835 9
Ellen Ware, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 9
Frederick Ware, who arrived in Michigan in 1862 9
Sampson Ware, who landed in Michigan in 1886 9

Ware migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ware Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Joseph Ware, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10

Ware Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Ware, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Miss Elizabeth Ware, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. James Ware, British Convict who was convicted in Dorset, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
John Ware, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. William Ware, British convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ware migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ware Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

G. Ware, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cashmere" in 1854 15
D. Ware, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cashmere" in 1854 15
Mary Ann Ware, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cashmere" in 1854 15
George Ware, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cashmere" in 1854 15
Laura Ware, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cashmere" in 1854 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ware (post 1700) +

Onzlee Ware (1954-2024), American politician and judge
Marilyn Ware (1943-2017), American diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to Finland from March 2006 to March 2008
Edwin Oswald "Ed" Ware III (1927-2016), American lawyer, District Attorney for the Louisiana 9th Judicial District Court (Rapides Parish) (1967-1984)
James Hutchinson Ware (1941-2016), American biostatician, former Professor of Biostatistics and Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Science at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Archie Virgil Ware (1918-1990), American Negro league baseball first baseman who played from 1942 and 1952, Negro League World Series Champion (1945)
Jeffrey Allan Ware (b. 1970), American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher
James Edward Ware (1846-1918), American architect
James Edward "Jim" Ware (1944-1986), American professional basketball player
DeMarcus Ware (b. 1982), American NFL football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
Franklin Christenson 'Chris" Ware (b. 1967), American comic book artist and cartoonist, winner of the Eisner Award and Harvey Award on numerous times
... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Ware family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. George Ware, American Signalman for US President 3 from who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 16

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Leonard Frank Ware (1909-1941), Australian Joiner 3rd Class from Hurlstone Park, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 17

Monongah Mine

Mr. Dominick Ware (b. 1877), Italian coal miner who was in mine 6 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died 18

RMS Titanic

Mr. Frederick William Ware (d. 1912), aged 34, English Third Class passenger from Greenwich, London who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19
Mr. John James Ware (d. 1912), aged 45, English Second Class passenger from Bristol, Avon who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19
Mrs. Florence Louise Ware, (née Long), aged 31, English Second Class passenger from Bristol, Avon who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 10 19
Mr. William Jeffery Ware (d. 1912), aged 23, English Second Class passenger from Gunnislake, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. (Retrieved fromhttps://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm).
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html