A male name. Old German Varin, a folk-name. It was introduced into England by the Normans as Warin or Guarin and became common, giving rise to the surnames Warren, Waring, Garnet (from the diminutive Guarin-et), &c. It is rare after the 14th C, and when used as a christian name in more recent times is generally found to be a family name, e.g. Warren Hastings was named after his mother’s maiden name. Lyford, it is true, gives Warin in his list of names, and it is said to occur in Manchester in the early 17th C.

Warinus Domesday Book 1086, Curia Regis Rolls 1109-1220, Testa de Neville, or Book of Fees, temp. Hen. III-Edw. I 13th C. Guarinus Domesday Book 1086, Close Rolls 13th C. Warrenus Testa de Neville, or Book of Fees, temp. Hen. III-Edw. I 13th C. Warin Hundred Rolls 1273. Guarin Patent Rolls 13th C.

Teutonic, literally ‘a protecting friend’. Its first element is that of Warner; the Teutonic ware, a defender, is in A. -S. weard (ward). Yonge notes that the whole name Warren may come direct from German Warand, a participle name, ‘unless there was a Warewine to account for it.’ Like Warner, it is now mostly a surname.

A Teutonic name, meaning: A park.