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Show ContentsWarren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 added many new elements to an already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Warren family lived in Sussex. Their name, however, is a reference to Varrenne, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1 Despite this name's resemblance to the Germanic Guarin, often translated as Warin, the names are not thought to be related.

Gundrada de Warenne (d. 1085), wife of William de Warenne, first Earl of Surrey, was long supposed to have been a daughter either of William the Conqueror and his queen Matilda of Flanders, or of Matilda by an earlier marriage with Gerbod, advocate of St. Bertin. 2

Early Origins of the Warren family

The surname Warren was first found in Sussex, Surrey, Norfolk and Suffolk where William de Warene, or Warrena married Gundard, a daughter of William the Conqueror, received great possessions and later became progenitor of the Earls of Warenne and Surrey. 3

One of the first on record was William Warenne or Warren, first Earl of Surrey (d. 1088), who "appears to have been the son of Rodulf or Ralph, called 'filius episcopi,' by his second wife, Emma, Rodulf himself being the son of Hugh (d. 1020), Bishop of Coutances, by a sister of Gunnor, wife of Richard I (d. 996), Duke of the Normans. His name was derived from his fortress situated on the left bank of the Varenne, and called after that river, though later called Bellencombre. " 2

Another source goes into more detail: "William de Warren, Earl of Warren, in Normandy, a near relation of the Conqueror's, came into England with that Prince, and having distinguished himself at the battle of Hastings, obtained an immense portion of the public spoliation. He had large grants of lands in several counties, amongst which were the Barony of Lewes, in Sussex, and the manors of Carletune and Beningtun, in Lincolnshire. So extensive indeed were those grants, that his possessions resembled more the dominions of a sovereign prince, than the estates of a subject. He enjoyed, too, in the highest degree, the confidence of the king, and was appointed joint justice-general, with Richard de Benefactis, for administering justice throughout the whole realm." 4

Hamelin de Warenne, Earl of Warenne or Surrey (d. 1202), was an illegitimate son of Geoffrey 'Plantagenet,' Count of Anjou (d. 1151), and was therefore half-brother of Henry II. "His importance dates from the rich marriage which he was enabled to make by the goodwill of his half-brother the king. In 1163 or 1164 he married Isabella de Warenne. Hamelin is henceforward called 'Comes de Warenne' and lord of his wife's great estates in Yorkshire, Surrey, Sussex, and Norfolk. " 2

John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey or Earl Warenne (1231?-1304), was the son of William de Warenne, Earl of Warenne or Surrey (d. 1240.) His son was John de Warenne Earl of Surrey and Sussez, or Earl Warenne (1286-1347.)

Poynton in Chester, "anciently called Ponynton and Poynington, remained in the possession of the male line of the family of Warren from the reign of Edward III. till the year 1801, when it terminated in Sir George Warren, K.B., from whose daughter, Viscountess Bulkeley, the manor passed by will to the Hon. Frances Maria Warren, afterwards Lady Vernon, who was succeeded by her son the present lord. " 5

Early History of the Warren family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Warren research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1138, 1148, 1399, 1563, 1580, 1581, 1604, 1605, 1609, 1617, 1620, 1628, 1694, 1889, 1910, 1912 and 1924 are included under the topic Early Warren History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Warren Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Warren, Warrene and others.

Early Notables of the Warren family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir Edward Warren (1563-1609) of Stockport, Cheshire; and Richard Warren (c. 1580-1628), A London merchant and passenger on the Mayflower in 1620
  • William Warren (fl. 1581), was an English poet, two works are known but only one copy of one of the works exists. Arthur Warren (fl. 1605), was an English poet who wrote two poems descriptive of the p...

Warren World Ranking

In the United States, the name Warren is the 138th most popular surname with an estimated 166,629 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Warren is ranked the 333rd most popular surname with an estimated 13,632 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Warren is the 61st popular surname with an estimated 427 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Warren as 203rd with 16,257 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Warren as 231st with 2,538 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Warren as 204th with 27,725 people. 11

Ireland Migration of the Warren family to Ireland

Some of the Warren family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Warren migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Warren or a variant listed above:

Warren Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Warren, (1585-1628), who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 aboard the "Mayflower"
  • Miss Mary Warren, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 12
  • Miss Sarah Warren, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 12
  • Miss Elizabeth Warren, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 12
  • Miss Abigail Warren, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Warren Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Garrett Warren, who landed in Virginia in 1711 13
  • John Warren, who landed in Georgia in 1735 13
  • Charles Warren, a bonded emigrant who settled in Virginia in 1765
Warren Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jane Warren, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 13
  • Hugh Warren, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 13
  • Benjamin Warren, aged 53, who arrived in New York in 1812 13
  • Henry Warren, aged 18, who landed in Maryland in 1813 13
  • George Warren, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Warren Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Augustus William Warren, who landed in Arkansas in 1905 13

Canada Warren migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Warren Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Robert Warren, sometimes known as Warrin, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1669 14
Warren Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Henry Warren, on record as a fisherman of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, in 1794 14
Warren Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Warren, who landed in Canada in 1812 in the Red River Settlement, he died of wounds in 1815
  • Edward Warren, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1824
  • Artemus Warren, who landed in Canada in 1829
  • Mr. John Warren, aged 30 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Scotland" departing 13th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 8th June 1847 but he died on board 15
  • Mr. John Warren, aged 6 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Scotland" departing 13th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 8th June 1847 but he died on board 15

Australia Warren migration to Australia +

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

Warren Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Warren Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Henry Warren, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. John Warren, English convict who was convicted in Newark (Newark-on-Trent), Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Thomas Warren, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. Joseph Warren, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 20
  • Joseph Warren, English convict from Derby, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Warren 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:

Warren Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Warren, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • Mrs. Warren, Australian settler travelling from Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Bristolian" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 22
  • Daniel Warren, who arrived in Canterbury aboard the ship "Hastings" in 1856
  • George Warren, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • Miss Hannah Warren, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Evening Star" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1858 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Warren migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23
Warren Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Warren, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 24

Contemporary Notables of the name Warren (post 1700) +

  • Earl Warren (1891-1974), American politician and judge, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1953-1969) and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom 25
  • Robert Penn Warren (1905-1989), American poet, novelist, and literary critic awarded the 1958 and 1979 Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Edith D. Warren (1937-2023), American Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly, representing the state's eighth House district from 1999 until 2012
  • Jim Warren (1936-2021), American mathematics and computing educator, computer professional, entrepreneur, editor and publisher
  • Claude Nelson Warren (1932-2021), American California Desert anthropologist and specialist in early humans in the Far West from Goldendale, Washington
  • Gloria Warren (1926-2021), born Gloria Weiman, an American actress, soprano singer, and philanthropist
  • Rusty Warren (1930-2021), born Ilene Goldman, an American comedian and singer, specializing in sex-related themes and such songs as "Bounce Your Boobies"
  • Christopher P. Warren (1967-2016), American musician, lead singer in The DX Band
  • Gerald Lee "Jerry" Warren (1930-2015), American journalist and newspaper editor at the San Diego Union-Tribune, Nixon's final White House Press Secretary
  • Edward "Butch" Warren (1939-2013), American jazz double bassist
  • ... (Another 21 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Flight TWA 800
  • Mrs. Lani Warren (1948-1996), from San Diego, California, USA, American off-duty TWA employee flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 26
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Lizzie  Warren (1893-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 27
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Vincent Warren (1912-1941), Australian Bandsman from Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 28
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Donald Warren (b. 1920), Scottish Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Fort William, Inverness, Scotland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 29
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Reginald Warren, English Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 30
  • Mr. Richard F Warren, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 30
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Ernest John Warren, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 31
HMS Royal Oak
  • James G. Warren, British Signal Boatswain with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 32
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Charles William Warren (d. 1912), aged 30, English Third Class passenger from Portsmouth, Hampshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 33
  • Mrs. Anna Sophia Warren, (née Atkinson), aged 60, American First Class passenger from Portland, Oregon who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 5 33
  • Mr. Frank Manley Warren (d. 1912), aged 63, American First Class passenger from Portland, Oregon who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 33
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. Allan Warren (1883-1914), Newfoundlander from Hant's Harbour, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time
  • Mr. Charles Warren (1883-1914), Newfoundlander from New Perlican, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

The Warren Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Leo de juda est robur nostrum
Motto Translation: The Lion of Judah is our strength.

Suggested Readings for the name Warren +

  • Family History of the Warren, Stone, Dayton, Routh, Wurster, Daggett, And Young Families by Candy Daggett Young.
  • Genealogy of Elihue Warren: a Descendant of Richard of the Mayflower and of William Sumner, With Allied Families by Racola Ford Cooke.
  1. 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)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. 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)
  14. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  15. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 98)
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  21. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  25. Earl Warren. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Earl Warren. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Warren
  26. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
  27. 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
  28. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  29. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  30. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  31. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  32. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  33. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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