Our Family

From Ancient English Roots to a Thriving American Legacy

Dear Wayne III, Christopher, Jonathan, Lauren, and the next generation—Fennec, Grant, Lila, Daniel, David, Kaitlyn, Karis, Evelyn, and Everett,

This document is a heartfelt tribute to our shared Warrington lineage, crafted as a gift to inspire you with the stories of resilience, innovation, and community service that define our family. Drawing from historical records, parish archives, and genealogical databases, it traces our roots from the misty fields of 17th-century England to the vibrant landscapes of modern America.

Our surname, Warrington, is more than a name—it’s a connection to a historic English town that symbolized strength and progress, much like the journeys of our ancestors. As you read, remember that each generation has built upon the last, turning challenges into opportunities. May this history encourage you to carry forward our legacy of perseverance and contribution.

Origins of the Warrington Surname

A Habitational Legacy

The Warrington name is deeply tied to the town of Warrington in northwest England, straddling the historic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire on the banks of the River Mersey. Derived from Old English, it is often interpreted as “the estate associated with a weir or dam” (from wæring meaning weir and tūn meaning settlement), evoking images of early Saxon communities harnessing rivers for mills and trade.

Archaeological evidence shows settlements in the area dating back to the Bronze Age, with Roman forts at Wilderspool around AD 79. The town flourished under Saxon rule as “Wæringtun.” By the Norman Conquest of 1066, Warrington was a key manor granted to Norman lords like Roger de Poitou and later the Vilars family, who became the Botelers (Butlers) of Warrington.

These “Lords of Warrington” shaped the town’s destiny. William le Boteler secured a charter in the 13th century for markets and fairs, sparking economic growth in textiles, brewing, and later chemicals during the Industrial Revolution. The town endured sieges in the English Civil War (1642–1651) and boomed as a transport hub with Mersey bridges and canals. Today it’s a bustling borough, with historic bridges and medieval heritage still visible.

While our direct line is not from the noble Botelers, habitational surnames like ours were adopted by families living in or near the town, spreading through Cheshire villages such as Gawsworth. This migration pattern—from rural England to industrial opportunities and across the Atlantic—mirrors our family’s story of adaptation and ambition.

The Warrington Family Crest

Symbols of Strength and Heritage

A cherished emblem of our roots, the Warrington coat of arms—often referred to colloquially as a “family crest”—features elements associated with the historic lords of Warrington town. While heraldry in England is traditionally granted to individuals rather than surnames broadly, our habitational name and geographic proximity allow us to draw inspiration from these arms as a symbolic connection.

Arms often associated with Warrington are described as: Ermine, six lioncels rampant gules (arranged three, two, and one), within a bordure azure charged with eight covered cups or.

• Six lions symbolize courage, unity, and protection—guardians of our legacy.
• Covered cups reflect stewardship and service (often linked with the Boteler/Butler line).
• A crest sometimes shown as a unicorn supporting a flag reflects the border identity of Lancashire (red rose) and Cheshire (golden garb of wheat).

Is there a direct historical record connecting our specific family line to these arms? Our known ancestors from William Warrington Sr. (b. 1688) onward were primarily yeomen farmers and laborers in Staffordshire and Cheshire rather than documented armigerous nobles. Still, with roots in villages near Warrington town—and the habitational nature of the name—this heraldry can be held as a meaningful symbol: strength (lions) and service (cups) echo the themes of our family’s resilience, migration, and public contribution.

Our Warrington Family Tree

Generations of Strength

Below is a structured genealogy, starting from our earliest confirmed English ancestors and extending to the present day. Dates are listed as confirmed or approximate where records are sparse.

Early English Generations (17th–18th Century)

• William Warrington Sr. (b. 1688, Staffordshire, England – d. January 28, 1745, Staffordshire)
  The earliest confirmed ancestor—likely a farmer or laborer—living through the reigns of Queen Anne and George I.
• Joseph Warrington (b. 1718, Staffordshire – d. unknown) & Mary Harrop (b. 1718, Cheshire/Staffordshire – d. unknown)
  Likely involved in farming or cottage industries as families shifted with early industrialization. Children included Thomas.
• Thomas Warrington “the X” (b. 1752, Gawsworth, Cheshire – d. 1801, Gawsworth) & Sarah Thornicroft (b. ~1755 – d. unknown)
  Married in 1777 at St. James Church, Gawsworth. The “X” may indicate a mark used in records. Children included John.
• John Warrington (b. 1777, Gawsworth – d. 1837, Swettenham) & Mary Leah (b. 1780 – d. unknown)
  Married September 13, 1796 in Swettenham. Raised a large family during an era shaped by wars and rural change. Children included Joseph.

Migration and Growth in England (19th Century)

• Joseph Warrington (b. ~1802, Cheshire – d. 1865, Lancashire) & Sarah E. Goodall (b. ~1806 – d. unknown)
  Relocated toward Lancashire during Victorian industrial shifts.
• John Brace Goodall Warrington (b. 1831 – d. 1910) & Mary Ward
  Married October 31, 1852 in Halifax, Yorkshire. Children included William Bracegirdle.
• William Bracegirdle Warrington (b. 1853 – d. unknown)
  Emigrated to the USA in the late 19th century, beginning our American chapter.

The American Warringtons (Late 19th–20th Century)

• William B. Warrington (b. March 5, 1888, Nebraska – d. April 18, 1945)
  Midwest roots and resilience through the Great Depression.
• Wayne Barton Warrington Sr. (b. March 8, 1923, Denver – d. 1989) & Patricia A. Chapman (b. 1925, Glendale, CA – d. 2002, Phoenix, AZ)
  Wayne Sr. served in leading state and federal administrative roles and contributed to veterans and consumer-related public service. Patricia devoted herself to children’s programs and civic community support—compassion and duty in action.
• Wayne Barton Warrington Jr.
  Preserving the story and raising a remarkable family—ensuring the legacy stays alive for future generations.

The Modern Generation (20th–21st Century)

• Wayne Barton Warrington III (b. ~1977) & Kacie Warrington
  Children: Fennec Warrington
• Christopher David Warrington (b. ~1982) & Jennifer (Williams) Warrington
  Children: Daniel, David, Kaitlyn, Karis
• Jonathan Ross Warrington (b. ~1987)
• Lauren Ashley Warrington (b. ~1989)
  Children: Evelyn, Everett

The Maternal Branches

Chapman and Yardley Lines – Creativity and Transatlantic Ties

Through Patricia A. Warrington (née Chapman), the maternal side adds a creative thread and additional immigrant stories that parallel the Warrington journey—England to America, fields to cities, tradition to opportunity.

• Jay Brien Chapman (1896–1970) & Grace Emma Yardley (1895–1975)
  Jay contributed as a Hollywood writer during the film industry’s golden era. Grace Emma supported family life through California’s rapid growth from early film culture into the rise of television.
• Horace H. Chapman (1848–1935) & Ella M. Childs (1861–1928)
  Representing another immigrant chapter and the long arc of American change from the 1800s into the Prohibition era.
• George Henry Yardley (1873–1950, Norfolk, England → Los Angeles) & Grace W. Hall (1872–1959)
  A blend of English tradition and American innovation, witnessing Los Angeles grow from a small city into a modern metropolis.

Generation Summary

Stories of Inspiration

Achievements and Migrations

Our family’s saga is one of transformation. From William Sr.’s humble Staffordshire fields to Joseph’s Cheshire farms, we adapted to change. The 19th-century shift to Lancashire mirrored England’s industrial boom, while William Bracegirdle’s emigration to America embodied courage—leaving familiar lands for Nebraska’s prairies and Colorado’s opportunities.

Wayne Sr.’s work in Washington, D.C. and broader public service reflects the Warrington commitment to community. Patricia’s advocacy for children echoes our enduring care for others. The Chapman–Yardley side adds a creative spark, and the immigrant tales of Horace and George echo the same themes: bold choices, hard work, and building something that lasts.

In a world of rapid change, our history teaches that with roots in strength—like the weir of Warrington—we can flow forward.

A Message for the Future

To my grandchildren and beyond: You are the heirs to centuries of grit and grace. Explore Gawsworth’s churches, walk Warrington’s bridges, or serve your communities as Wayne Sr. did. Let this report be a starting point—dive into archives, collect stories from living relatives, and preserve the photos and letters that bring names to life.

Our story isn’t finished; it’s yours to write.

With pride and love,
Wayne Barton Warrington Jr.
December 25, 2025