Surname Wardripe - Meaning and Origin

Wardripe: What does the surname Wardripe mean?

The last name Wardripe originates from the Anglo-Saxon language. It is derived from the Old English term ‘weard-ripa’, meaning ‘the guardian of the strip of land’. During the pre-medieval era, the Wardripe surname was used to refer to people who were responsible for managing a strip of land known as a ‘war lip’ or ‘weard ripa’. The war lip was a type of long, slender tract of land found in many areas of Europe during the feudal period.

The Wardripe name is believed to have been first established in England. During this time, the holder of the Wardripe title was responsible for upholding law and order in a specific region of land. They were responsible for the collecting of taxes, making sure food production was plentiful, and for dealing with disputes between landowners. In some cases, they even had the power to execute justice.

The Wardripe surname eventually spread to other parts of Europe, especially Scotland, Ireland, and Northern France. Today, descendants of the original Wardripe families can be found in many countries across the world. It is a surname with deep historical roots, linking those who bear it to a time when families sought out protection and order from a single family leader.

Wardripe: Where does the name Wardripe come from?

The last name Wardripe is most common today in Canada and the United States. It is found across both countries but is mostly found in the north eastern states in the US, in particular, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

In Canada, Wardripe is mainly found in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. According to McAlpine’s Canadian Directory of 1891 (edited by Robert M. Wilkie), the last name Wardripe was present in at least 13 localities in Ontario, the most prevalent being Toronto and Ottawa.

Wardripe is thought to be either a variant of the German Last Name "Werderupp" or a locational name taken from a place name in Westmoreland County in England. This place is now known as Witherup, which is believed to be a corruption of Wierderopp, meaning 'hamlet among the willows' or 'house by the willow trees'. Wardripe may also be derived from the Dutch word ‘Werden-roep’, which translates to 'crowd call' or 'gathering call '.

Over the years, Wardripe families have spread and can now be found throughout Canada and the United States. The name can also be found in other countries including Scotland, England, Norway and Australia.

Variations of the surname Wardripe

The surname Wardripe has many variants and spellings that originate from the same source. Variants of the name include Warrip, Warip, Waryppe, Waryp, Warrabe and Weryp. Other spellings for the surname include Waryp, Wyraff, Worriff, Waryic, Warran, Wairif, Warie, Werype, Warrape, Warpe, Warrip, Warypall and Warriffe.

It is assumed the name Wardripe originates from Scandinavian sources. The name is likely derived from the old Scandinavian name consist of two elements, “vard” and “hripe”, meaning to “guard” and “rippe”, meaning to “carve” – translating to “guard carver” – a reference to one who stands guard over a carpenter. While this origin is highly debated, the name is thought to be a reference to a man who performed a valuable trade skill.

Variations of the name Wardripe are found in other countries. In Scandinavia, the name is spelled Warrip. It is also found in the United Kingdom as Warriffe. Further variations are seen in Germany, where the surname is spelled Weryp. This spelling is also found in the Netherlands and Belgium. In France, the surnames Warran and Waryic are derived from the root of Wardripe.

It is also suggested that Wardripe is a sept of the Scottish famous Clan Donald, and so the name has come to found in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada where large populations of Scottish descent inhabit.

The many spellings of the name Wardripe reveal its long and varied history and evolution over many centuries. It is still a popular surname today, being seen in many parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Wardripe

• Stuart Wardrip, English professional footballer
• April Wardrip, American actress and singer
• Kenneth Wardrip, American politician
• Trudy Wardrip, American actress
• Jane Wardrip, American painter, sculptor and digital artist
• Jon Wardrip, English actor
• April Wardrip, American author and entrepreneur
• Matt Wardrip, Australian swimmer
• Jenna Wardrip, American singer
• Michael Wardrip, American Field Hockey player

Other surnames

Wardrip