| ![Show Contents]() Warkman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of WarkmanWhat does the name Warkman mean? The roots of the ancient Scottish name Warkman are found among the people of a tribe known as the Picts. Warkman is a name for a laborer. The surname Warkman comes from the Old English word work, or weorc, both of which mean "work." In the Middle Ages, the word workman was also applied to ambidextrous people as a nickname. The more common derivation, however, is the occupational one, which was a name given to a laborer. "Under English feudal law, a tenant who had to do certain week-work." 1 Another source notes that the name denotes "one who worked so many days a week for the lord of the manor in return for the land he held." 2 Early Origins of the Warkman familyThe surname Warkman was first found in the Orkneys, were they held a family seat from very ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name is believed to be derived from the lands of Work, from the parish of St. Ola. 1 Further to the south in England, the first record of the family was found in Kent, where Adwordus Wercman was listed in 1214. Later William le Werkman was found in the Feet of Fines for Sussex in 1236 and Gilbert le Worcman was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. 3 "This surname has ramified strongly in the county of Gloucester." 4 Early History of the Warkman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Warkman research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1597, 1696, 1799, 1876 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Warkman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Warkman Spelling VariationsThe appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Warkman has been spelled Workman, Wortman, Wartman, Wergman, Wirgman and others. Early Notables of the Warkman familyAnother 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Warkman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Warkman family to IrelandSome of the Warkman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Warkman migration to the United States | + |
The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Warkman:
Warkman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Robert Warkman, who arrived in Virginia in 1670 5
- Mark Warkman, who landed in Virginia in 1684 5
Warkman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Margery Warkman, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 5
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- 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)
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