What does this name mean?

Question:

What does this name mean?

I know someone with the last name of Wharton and they can't seem to find its origin or its meaning. Can you answer their question?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: i would start by searching the Wharton geneaology first - one reference i found mention Quaker records- there is a Wharton, New Jersey and a Wharton County, Texas-- i did find this on gen forum
"The Wharton family surname is a 'place' name and Anglo-Saxon in origin. I have seen reference to at least two branches of the family which were known to exist in Lancashire and Westmoreland in the tenth
(i.e., 900-1000 AD) century with the early form of the name, making it one of the earliest of British surnames as most people took on surnames in the 14th century. The name is not Norman and not derived from Warcop although both could have been derived from similar Anglo Saxon roots. Nor did our ancestors 'come over with William the Conqueror' although they might have been stnading on the bridge with Alfred waiting for him to assist in repelling his invasion......" quoted by thomas wharton