[2] Veržej was attested in historical sources as Schepfendorf in 1280–95, Wernse in 1354, and Werensee in 1445, among other names and spellings.

The name may be derived from Middle High German Wernsee, a compound of were 'entrenchment' and sê 'lake'.

A less likely hypothesis connects the name with a Balto-Slavic root related to Lithuanian viržis 'heather'.

[3] The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Michael and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Murska Sobota.

It was built in the early 18th century on the site of an older wooden church.