Wergen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Scotland
• Ireland
• England

Etymology of Wergen

The people known in ancient Scotland as the Picts were the forefathers of the Wergen family. It is a name for a laborer. The surname Wergen 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 Wergen family

Early History of the Wergen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wergen research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1597, 1696, 1799, 1876 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wergen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wergen Spelling Variations

When the first dictionaries were invented in the last few hundred years, spelling gradually became standardized. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound. Names were often recorded under different spelling variations every time they were written. Wergen has been written Workman, Wortman, Wartman, Wergman, Wirgman and others.

Early Notables of the Wergen family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wergen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wergen family to Ireland

Some of the Wergen 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.

Migration of the Wergen family

The crossing to North America did not seem so great in comparison with the hardships many Scots endured at home. It was long, expensive, and cramped, but also rewarding. North America offered land and the chance for settlers to prove themselves in a new place. And many did prove themselves as they fought to forge a new nation in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of those Scots can now experience much of their once-lost heritage through the Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up across North America in the last century. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Wergen: Richard Workman settled in Virginia in 1648; John Workman settled in Virginia in 1653; William Workman settled in Virginia in 1655; Samuel Workeman settled in Maryland in 1680..