Show ContentsWarhol History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Warhol dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the settlement of Wareham in Dorset or in either of the places called Warham in Herefordshire or Norfolk. The surname Warhol belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Warhol family

The surname Warhol was first found in Dorset where they were Lords of the manor of Wareham. Today Wareham (Wareham Town) is a town and civil parish, in Dorset situated on the River Frome eight miles (13 km) southwest of Poole. The older streets of the town date back to Roman times. Town walls and ancient earth ramparts still surround the town which were built by Alfred the Great in the 9th century.

Historically, the town was a Saxon royal burial place, notably that of King Beorhtric (c. 800) and Edward the Martyr (c. 978). Like many other towns of Dorset, fishing was an important way of life that led many to the New World in search of better fishing grounds.

Wareham Priory was a priory in Dorset, and may have dated back to the Saxons in 672. The site is now home to the Priory Hotel. "The ancient mansion of Dinton Hall [in Dinton, Buckinghamshire] was probably erected by William de Wareham, Archbishop of Canterbury, his name, and his arms quartered with those of the see of Canterbury, frequently occurring in the old painted-glass windows." 1

One of the first on record was Ranulf of Wareham (died 1222), also known Ranulph de Wareham or Ralph Wareham, the medieval Bishop of Chichester (1217-1222.) He was a monk of Norwich Cathedral before becoming prior. It is generally believed that he came from Dorset. In 1829, his bones were found in Chichester Cathedral.

Early History of the Warhol family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Warhol research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1222, 1450, 1480, 1502, 1503, 1504, 1505, 1506, 1509, 1532, 1557 and 1655 are included under the topic Early Warhol History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Warhol Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Warhol have been found, including Warham, Wareham and others.

Early Notables of the Warhol family

Notables of this surname at this time include: William Warham (c.1450-1532), Archbishop of Canterbury (1503-1532.) Born in Malshanger, Hampshire, he was educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford. He rose to become Bishop of London in 1502 and later Chancellor of Oxford University in 1506. He married...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Warhol Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Warhol family to Ireland

Some of the Warhol family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Warhol migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Warhol, or a variant listed above:

Warhol Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Wojciech Warhol, aged 35, arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Havel" from Bremen, Germany 2
Warhol Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Josef Warhol, originally from the Tcecho-Slovack Army in France, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Rochambeau" from Le Havre, France 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Warhol (post 1700) +

  • Robyn R. Warhol (b. 1955), American literary scholar, Arts and Humanities Distinguished Professor of English at the Ohio State University
  • Andy Warhol (1928-1987), born Andrew Warhola, an American artist who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art, perhaps best known for his painting Campbell's Soup Cans (1962)


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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