Surname Wardrip - Meaning and Origin
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Wardrip: What does the surname Wardrip mean?
The last name Wardrip is of English origin. It is a habitational name based on the word “weard-rip,” which is derived from an Old English term meaning “enclosure on a weir” or “pen on the weir.” The term “weir” was used to describe a dam or Weir, used to divert andad control water. The name is believed to have originated in Lancashire, England and is commonly associated with the areas in and around Lancashire and Cheshire.
The Wardrip surname is believed to have been used by people who lived near the Weir, who worked for the person who owned or held the land of the Weir. This suggests that the Wardrip surname was more likely to have been used by those engaged in occupations relating to engineering and building the Weir. Those linked to the Wardrip name were likely skilled craftsmen who focused on the construction of especially strong Weir-dams.
Today, the surname Wardrip is spent mainly in the United Kingdom and its former colonies, including the United States and Canada. Those with the Wardrip last name are likely descendants of people who settled in those locations during the period of British colonization.
Order DNA origin analysisWardrip: Where does the name Wardrip come from?
The last name Wardrip is most common in the United States today. The name is particularly common in areas of the Midwest and South.
In the US Census of 2000, the name was recorded a total of 4,119 residents belonging to the Wardrip surname. It is found most often in the states of Tennessee (491 occurrences) and Virginia (428 occurrences). Other states where the surname is relatively popular are Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
Wardrip is an English name, thought to have derived from the phrase "ward of the riparian". It likely originated in the area of Lancashire, England, where a family of the name was recorded in the Nantes survey of Lancashire in 1166 AD, and in the Wills of 1253 AD. Some of the early recorded spellings of the name Wardrip include Warropp, Waredrope, and Warrope.
It is likely that this English surname was brought to the US by immigrants in the 18th century. The presence of the name in many different America states likely reflects the movement of these immigrants over time. The varying spellings of the name suggest different branches of the family spreading out to different locations.
Today the surname Wardrip is mainly associated with the United States, but there are small numbers of people found with the name in other countries. This reaches into Australia, and there is even a street in London named after the family.
Variations of the surname Wardrip
Wardrip is an English surname, sometimes carried by people of other nationalities. The most common spelling is Wardrip, but there are several variants and related surnames of the same origin.
Variant spellings include Wardrope, Warstrip, Wordrip, Warderep, and Wordarep. Surnames which can be related to Wardrip include Varner, Worden, Werdan, Wordin, Werdin, and Werdine.
The surname is derived from “waerd”, an Old English word which meant “guard”. In medieval times, the word was used to refer to a guard or protector of a castle. Wardrip may have been a status name given to someone who was employed as a guard of a castle, manor, estate, or powerful family.
Warriors, soldiers, and mercenaries who protected land from attack or defended it from invasion may have also been given the surname Wardrip. This surname could also have been given to someone who was a watchman, sentry, or guard of a village or town. Alternative occupational origins of the surname include workers employed in a variety of jobs such as shepherds, carters, bricklayers, or even fishermen.
Wardrip is a relatively uncommon surname today. Despite this, it is present in many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Wardrip
- Tye Wardrip: American singer-songwriter.
- Jessica Wardrip: American actress best known for her roles in the films, "The Age of Adaline" and "Fist Fight".
- Mike Wardrip: Singer/songwriter and member of the American band "Gun Hill".
- Bruce Wardrip: American engineer and computer scientist, who held important posts in both the United States Army and the Department of Defense.
- Benjamin Wardrip: American ex-Marine who served in Desert Storm and was awared the Purple heart.
- Janine Wardrip: American meteorologist and weather reporter on the ABC affiliate WFTV in Central Florida.
- Deborah Wardrip: American golfer who has won four professional championships.
- Lucy Wardrip: British tennis player who competed in the Women's Tennis Association tour.
- Wilma Wardrip: American music teacher and mentor who taught thousands of students the art of piano and keyboard playing.
- Billy Wardrip: American professional golfer who won three PGA Tour events in his career.