Werny - Name

This is apparently an unusual variant form of the Old German personal name "Warin-heri", generally found in the English as "Warner" and in the modern German as Werner, Wernher and also Warner. The name translates as "war-guard" which given the propensity of the Saxone for war-like names, provides an explanation for its pre Norman popularity. "Warin-her", has produced at least forty-four recorded variants and is found in every European Country, examples being Garnier (France), Guarnero (Italy) Wornhor (Bavaria) Wehrli (Switzerland) etc. Recordings of the variant in England include the following "link" spellings Joseph Wearney, christened at St. Thomas Charterhouse London on June 10th 1855, and Edward Werney, a witness at St. Botolphs, Bishopgate, London on November 14th 1856. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of George Warny, which was dated July 2nd 1650, a christening witness at St. Dunstan's Church, Stepney, during the reign of Olive Cromwell, "The Great Protector", 1649 - 1658. 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.