WAINER
Wainer
Origin and Meaning
The surname Wainer is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Wagner," which itself comes from the Germanic name "Waganari," meaning a wagon maker. The name was likely introduced to England during the medieval period by Germanic settlers.
Distribution and Popularity
The surname Wainer is relatively uncommon in the United Kingdom, with the majority of bearers found in the counties of London and Essex. The name has seen variations in spelling over the centuries, including Waigner and Weyner.
Notable Bearers
Notable bearers of the surname Wainer include:
- Dr. Michael Wainer (b. 1948) – British physician and researcher known for his work in the field of oncology.
- Rachel Wainer Apter (b. 1976) – British lawyer and civil rights advocate.
Coat of Arms
The Wainer family coat of arms consists of a shield with a crest depicting a wagon wheel, representing the name's origin as "Wagner," or wagon maker. The colours of the shield typically include blue and gold, which are common heraldic colours.
References
"The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland" by Patrick Hanks, Richard Coates, and Peter McClure. Oxford University Press, 2016.
See Also
- Surname
- Anglo-Saxon
- Coat of Arms
There are approximately 146 people named Wainer in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Wainer.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Anthony
- Carl
- Christopher
- Gavin
- Gregory
- Ivan
- Marcus
- Mark
- Michael
- Richard
- Stanley
Female
- Cara
- Caroline
- Christina
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jean
- Karen
- Michelle
- Philippa
- Wendy
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.