Show ContentsWerden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Werden

What does the name Werden mean?

The name Werden comes from one of the family having worked as a guard or watchman. Interestingly, the name Werden was originally from the Anglo-French word wardein, meaning guardian.

Early Origins of the Werden family

The surname Werden was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Werden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Werden research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1352, 1379, 1614, 1627, 1640, 1664, 1683, 1716 and 1758 are included under the topic Early Werden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Werden 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 Werden have been found, including: Warden, Wardan, Werden and others.

Early Notables of the Werden family

More information is included under the topic Early Werden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Werden 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. Among the first immigrants of the name Werden, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Werden Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • George Werden, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 1

Werden migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Werden Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Elias Werden, who landed in Canada in 1830
  • Henry Werden, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Albert Werden, who arrived in Canada in 1831

Contemporary Notables of the name Werden (post 1700) +

  • W. B. Werden, American politician, Mayor of Waukegan, Illinois (1874-1876)
  • Robert M. Werden, American politician, Republican Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1964
  • Chester Howell Werden, Canadian-born, American politician, Member of the Wisconsin State Senate in 1920
  • Asa Werden (1779-1866), American-born, Canadian farmer, businessman and politician who represented Prince Edward in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1830 to 1834
  • Frieda Lindfield Werden (b. 1947), American radio producer, co-founder and producer of the weekly radio series WINGS: Women's International News Gathering Service in 1986
  • Percival Wheritt "Perry" Werden (1865-1934), American Major League Baseball first baseman who played from 1884 to 1897
  • W. B. Werden, American politician, Mayor of Waukegan, Illinois, 1874-76 2
  • Robert M. Werden, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1964 2
  • Sybil Werden (1924-2007), German dancer and actress
  • Charles Werden Deane (1837-1914), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Newaygo District, 1867-68; Village president, Pentwater, Michigan, 1867 3


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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