Varney

Varney is a surname of English origin, derived from the medieval personal name 'Ferne', meaning 'fern', combined with the Old Norse 'býr', meaning 'settlement'. The name Varney, therefore, likely originated as a toponymic surname indicating a person from a fern-covered settlement.

This surname has been recorded in various spellings over the centuries, including Varneye, Varne, and Varney. The Varney family has been prominent in British history, particularly in the southern counties of England.

The earliest known recording of the name Varney dates back to the 13th century in the Domesday Book, a survey of England and Wales completed in 1086. The Varney surname has been traced to various regions in England, with concentrations in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Varney include the English actor Jim Varney (1949-2000), best known for his portrayal of the character "Ernest P. Worrell" in various films and television commercials.

Today, the Varney surname continues to be found in England as well as in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others.

There are approximately 3,857 people named Varney in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,421st most common surname in Britain. Around 59 in a million people in Britain are named Varney.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert

Female

  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Janet
  • Jennifer
  • Laura
  • Linda
  • Michelle
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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