Warrener

This interesting surname is from the Old French 'warrennier', the Middle English 'warnere', and was occupational for an officer employed to watch over the game in a park or preserve; the term was introduced into England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. This officer was later known as 'the keeper of the warren', which was an enclosure for breeding game. The name development since 1198 (see below) includes: Adam le Warner (1218, Staffordshire), John le Warner (1280, Somerset) and William le Warrener (1317, Wiltshire). The modern surname can be found as Warrener, Warriner, Warrender and Warner. Among the sample recordings in London are the marriage of Daniell Warrener and Anne Kakett on April 21st 1688 at St. James's, Dukes Place, and the christening of James, son of William and Mary Warrener on June 10th 1739 at St. George in the East, Stepney. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William le Wariner, which was dated 1198, Feet of Fines, Kent, during the reign of King Richard 1, 'The Lionheart', 1189-1199. 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.