Wallenger

This unusual and interesting name is of German origin (Anglo-Saxon) and despite its 'job descriptive' appearance was originally a pre 10th Century personal name 'Warengar of Guarenger'. The precise elements are believed to be 'Warin' meaning 'Guard' and 'Ger' an army, and the name was also popular with the Normans, a fact which largely ensured its survival into the 12th Century Surname period. The name development includes Thomas Warrenger, recorded in the Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1482, whilst one Robert Walenger is found in the Pipe Rolls of Suffolk for 1524 in the reign of Henry VIII (1510 - 1547). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Wareng, which was dated 1086, The Domesday Book for Suffolk, during the reign of King William I, 'The Conqueror', 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.