VARTY
Varty is an uncommon surname that can be found principally in the northern counties of England. It is considered to have both English and French origins, with its earliest attestations dating to the late thirteenth century.
The name is traditionally believed to arise from the Old French word vert meaning green. In medieval England a nickname derived from a physical attribute or a local landmark was often adopted as a surname; consequently, Varty may have been applied to a person with a greenish complexion or to someone who lived near a green area, such as a pasture or a wooded lane. An alternative derivation is supplied by the Middle French word verite, meaning truth, which in turn originates from the Latin veritas. This latter line of reasoning suggests that Varty could have been used as a nickname or a baptismal name of endearment, or perhaps for an actor in a travelling theatre troupe.
In Britain the surname was introduced most plausibly by the Normans in the aftermath of the conquest of 1066, or by Crusaders in the twelfth century, as there are no surviving records of its use earlier than that period. The creation of surnames from nicknames was a common medieval practice, and the endurance of Varty into the modern era is evidence of its acceptance in the society of that time.
Historical records provide concrete examples of the name’s use. The 1379 Poll Tax Rolls of Yorkshire record a William Verty, showing the form Verty in use in that locality. In London, on 6 February 1598, a John Verdue married Agnes Byrd at the church of St Gregory’s by St Paul’s. On 16 April 1640, a William Varty was married at All Saints, Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne, and on 1 July 1679 a Jane Varty married Thomas Scott of Ainstable, Cumberland. These instances demonstrate that the surname persisted at least until the late seventeenth century.
The earliest documented spelling of the family name is that of Adam le Verite, dated 1275 in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, during the reign of King Edward I, who reigned from 1272 to 1307. The form le Verite indicates a Norman or French influence and may represent the original root of the surname in England.
Variants of the name include Verity, Vardy, and other spellings found in medieval records. Although the surname is not widespread, it has maintained a distinct presence in the northern parts of England, where it remains relatively rare today.
Typical given names associated with the Varty surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- Derek
- Gary
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Angela
- Diane
- Gillian
- Grace
- Jean
- Jennifer
- June
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Patricia
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Varty in...
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There are approximately 901 people named Varty in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,012th most common surname in Britain. Around 14 in a million people in Britain are named Varty.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Varty
- Will Varty - Football player
- Tommy Varty - Football player (1921 to 2004)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.