Surname Wardle - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Review: Tracing the Path of the Surname Wardle and Building a Global Family Network

Taking the iGENEA DNA Test opened a whole new window into my surname, Wardle's ancestry. The journey was marked by surprising revelations about my Anglo-Saxon roots and the connection with numerous Wardles worldwide.

D. Wardle

Wardle: What does the surname Wardle mean?

Wardle is an English surname that is of geographical origin, derived from various places in England named Wardle. The place name Wardle is composed of two Old English elements: "weard," meaning "watch" or "guard," and "hyll," meaning "hill." Thus, the name could be interpreted to mean "lookout hill" or "guard's hill," indicating a place used as a vantage point or watchtower.

Surnames based on geographical names were often given to the lord of the manor or the owner of the land. Alternatively, it may have also been given to individuals who migrated from Wardle, as a means of identifying their place of origin. It's important to note that there are several locations named Wardle in England, including in Cheshire, Lancashire, and West Yorkshire.

Therefore, the surname Wardle would have signified a connection to these locations, either by land ownership, residence, or origin. As with many surnames, there can be multiple interpretations and origins, and these meanings may have evolved or changed over time.

Wardle: Where does the name Wardle come from?

The last name Wardle is most common in the United Kingdom and Ireland today. In England, it is most frequently found on the western side of the country, with a concentration in the North West. The 2018 UK Census found high numbers of people with Wardle as their last name in cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Chester, as well as in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Wardle can also be found throughout Ireland. Its strong presence in the north eastern corner, including counties like Antrim and Down, is likely linked to the high number of people from England who moved to Ireland during the mid-17th century.

Scotland too holds a significant number of Wardle families, especially in the areas around Glasgow. And in Wales, the name is found mainly in the south, in cities such as Swansea and Cardiff, as well as in the historic county of Glamorgan.

It is possible that Wardle also exists in other countries with historical ties to the United Kingdom, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. However, its prevalence is likely quite low. The last name Wardle is certainly not a rare name, its presence in the modern day world being particularly strong in the British Isles.

Variations of the surname Wardle

Wardle is a surname of English origin and has several different variants and spellings, mainly found in the UK and Australia. It is believed to stem from the Old English word ‘werdle’, meaning a sandy hill. Variations include Wordle, Wardell, Wartle, and Werdly.

Most variants of Wardle appear in the same areas as the original surname, particularly in North West England, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. It was also spread to North America and the West Indies, as well as to other parts of Britain during the 19th century.

Most spellings are fairly standard, though there have been some variants such as Wardell and Wartle which are occasionally used. There are also some variants of the word with a ‘ie’, such as Wardlie, Wardly, Werdlie, and Werdley. These spellings were mainly used in rural areas of England, and are not as common as the original spelling.

Surnames of the same origin as Wardle include Warfel, Warford, Warrall, Warrant, Warriors, Warzee, Wada, Ward', Wark, Warne, Warren, Warrick, Warter, Warwick, Worth, and Worthington.

In conclusion, variations of the Wardle surname are found both in the UK and elsewhere, mainly as a result of migration. Variants of this surname can have slightly different spellings, and there are also related names of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Wardle

• Edith Wardle: English actress, best known for her roles in Emmerdale and My Family.
• Eric Wardle: British lawyer and espionage fiction author.
• Jamie Wardle: Welsh footballer, currently a free agent.
• Laura Wardle: British journalist and presenter, BBC correspondent.
• Medelin Wardle: British model, known for appearing on the British version of Gladiators.
• Michael Wardle: British actor, known for his roles in Coronation Street and Benidorm.
• Nathan Wardle: English cricketer and umpire.
• Ron Wardle: British actor, known for his roles in The Bill and EastEnders.
• Sarah Wardle: English golfer, currently competing in the Ladies European Tour.
• Terry Wardle: English footballer, currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday.
• William Wardle: British-Canadian Anglican prelate, Dean of Vancouver from 2004 to 2016.
• Ian Wardle: British Royal Air Force officer, Commandant of the RAF College Cranwell from 2001-2004.
• Alan Wardle: British environmental scientist, currently Director of Corporate Affairs with the National Parks Authority.
• Robert Wardle: British lawyer and Director of the Serious Fraud Office from 2002–2007.
• Jeff Wardle: Canadian athlete, twice Olympic medallist in the long jump.
• Steve Wardle: British actor and impersonator, known for his impersonation of former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• Dorothy Wardle: English archaeologist and the first woman to be elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
• John Wardle: British geographer, recipient of the Royal Geographical Society's Back Award in 2016.
• Paul Wardle: British former professional footballer, best known for his spells with Port Vale, Halifax Town, and Stalybridge Celtic.
• Shirley Wardle: American psychic, author, and spiritual teacher.

Other surnames

WardlawWardlow