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The surname Waldrop, Wardrop, Wardrope, etc. is occupational in origin, that is, it derives from the trade or profession of the first bearer. The name is from Old Norman French "garder or warder" meaning "to watch" and robe. Therefore the surname derives from the keeper of the royal wardrobe. The man in charge of the clothes of the household was a post of great responsibility. The wardrobe was a repository not only for articles of dress [often trimmed with precious stones], but for furniture not in use, and for spices and confections. The Book of Curtasye says: "The usshere shall bydde the wardropere Make redy for alle, night before they fere."

  • 1210 Robertus de WARDEROB, the earliest occurance of the surname, witnesses a charter by Margaret, countess of Buchan in favor of the Abbey of Arbroath [RAA., I, p. 94]. Arms pictured on cover. Earliest found.
  • 1270 John de WARDROBA - laid claim to certain lands in Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire [RMP. p. 180].
  • 1278 Randinus de WARDEROBA - witnessed as quitclaim of Beeth Waldef in Fife, [RD., p. 52].
  • 1286 Thomas de GARDEROBA - listed in the Court Rolls of the manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire.
  • 1296 Alisaundre de la GARDEROBE of Edinberghshire and David de la GARDEROBE of Fife rendered homage [Bain, II, p. 204, 213].
  • 1317 John de GARDROPA was appointed proluctor in Aberdeen [SCM., v, p. 8]
  • 1324 Thomas WARDEROPE is listed in the Calender of Letter Books for the London.
  • 1351 Adam de GARDROPA confirmed the transfer of land to John Crab in Aberdeen [Friars, 16].
  • 1450 Thomas VARDROP de Gothynys acquired a fourth part of Thenstoun.
  • 1465 The same man as above, but as Thomas WARDROPARE de Gothnys, chartered the confirmation of the lands of Thanystoune in the thanage of Kintore [View, p. 574].
  • 1491 Both Alexander WARDROPER and James WARDROPER withenssed a charter of lands in Scone [Scon, p. 199].
  • 1525 Archibald VEDDEROP was bailie of Glasgow [REG., 497].
  • 1527 Thomas WEDDEROP and James WEDDEROP were jurors on assize of lands in Gowane (Govan) [Pollock, I, p. 258].
  • 1531 Thomas WARDROPER of Ballatheis granted a charter in favor of John Montcreiff [Methven, p. 43].
  • 1547 John WODROP held a land in Glasgow [Protocols, I].
  • 1606 Gilbert WEDROP was charged with tumult in Glasgow [RPC, VII, p. 244].
  • 1608 William WADDROPE was admitted burgess of Glasgow [Burgesses].
  • 1671 Barbrye WADROPE is recorded in Swyntounhill [Lauder].
Other Variations occur as: WAIRDROB 1658, WAIRDROPE 1678, WARDDROP 1509, WARDRAPER 1512, WARDRAPPER 1686, WARDROB 1642, WARDROPAR 1467, WARDROPPER 1509, WARDRUPPER 1582, WODDEROP ca. 1530, WODDROP 1591, WOODROPE (in Abrdeen) 1731, James WARDROP, [surgeon who wrote the "Essays on the Morbid Anatomy of the Human Eye"] born 1782. Genealogical records in America show WALDROOP, WALDREP, WALDRIP, WALTRIP, WALDRUP, WARDROP, WARDROBE, WARDROPE, WADDROP and WALDROP which is the most common spelling of the surname in America.
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