Werran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Werran is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Werran 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 Werran family

The surname Werran 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 Werran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Werran 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 Werran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Werran Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Warren, Warrene and others.

Early Notables of the Werran 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...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Werran Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Werran family to Ireland

Some of the Werran 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.

Migration of the Werran family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Werran or a variant listed above: Abigail Warren and Anna Warren, who both came to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623; John Warren, his wife Margaret and their four children, who arrived in Watertown, MA in 1630.

The Werran 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.

Citations +

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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.