VERNON
The surname Vernon is found primarily in English-speaking countries and has roots that can be traced to both England and France. In England it first appeared in the Domesday Book, while in France it derives from a town of the same name in Normandy.
The name is a locational surname, originating from the town of Vernon in the Eure district of Normandy. Linguistically the placename is believed to descend from the Gaulish element ver(n), meaning “alder tree” or “alder grove,” combined with the Gallo‑Roman locative suffix -o in the genitive case, yielding the sense “place of the alders.” This etymology has been recorded by scholars of onomastics and appears consistently in historical documents.
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the surname was introduced into England by Richard de Vernon, a prominent supporter of William the Conqueror. His name is first documented in the Domesday survey of Cheshire in 1086. Later members of the family settled at Shipbrook in Cheshire and, through marriage, William de Vernon became owner of Haddon Hall in Derbyshire during the reign of Henry II (1216‑1272).
Over the centuries several bearers of the name arose who left an indelible mark on English history. Sir George Vernon (c.1578‑1639) served as an influential judge. James Vernon (1646‑1727) held the office of secretary to the Duke of Monmouth from 1674 to 1678 and later became principal secretary of state between 1698 and 1702. His son, Edward Vernon (1684‑1757), was created an admiral in 1745 and is credited with being the first to issue “grog,” a rum diluted with water. Another notable bearer, Richard Vernon (1726‑1800), was known as the “father of the turf”; he founded the Jockey Club and pioneered horse training at Newmarket in the mid‑eighteenth century.
The early coat of arms granted to the family features a silver lion passant on a black shield, a heraldic design that reflects the family’s Norman heritage. Today, the surname remains common throughout Britain and the wider English-speaking world, with many individuals bearing it yet again linked to its historic roots of English and French origin.
Typical given names associated with the Vernon surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
Female
- Anne
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Hilary
- Jane
- Joanne
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Farnen
- Varnon
- Fernon
- Farnon
- Verno
- Vernone
- Fairnian
- Farnan
- Farnin
- Ferinan
- Fernan
- Fernin
- Firnan
- Forenan
- Fornan
- Fornoni
- Freenan
- Fregnani
- Frennan
- Frinnan
- Varnan
- Varnom
- Vearnon
- Venon
- Vergnano
- Vermon
- Vern
- Vernan
- Vernen
- Vernin
- Vernom
- Vernons
- Vernoum
- Vernoun
- Vernoux
- Vernow
- Vernum
- Vernun
- Veron
- Verton
- Virnon
- Voronin
- Voronina
- Vuorinen
- Vurnom
- Virno
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Vernon in...
Braille
⠧⠑⠗⠝⠕⠝
Morse
...-..-.-.----.
Semaphore
There are approximately 9,358 people named Vernon in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,004th most common surname in Britain. Around 144 in a million people in Britain are named Vernon.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Vernon
- Richard Vernon - Film, television actor (1925 to 1997)
- Edward Vernon - Royal Navy admiral (1684 to 1757)
- Mike Vernon - Music executive studio owner and record producer
- Scott Vernon - Football player
- Roy Vernon - Welsh football player (1937 to 1993)
- Andy Vernon - Long-distance runner
- Philip E. Vernon - Psychologist (1905 to 1987)
- Richie Vernon - Scottish rugby union player
- Judy Vernon - Hurdler and sprinter
- Martin Vernon - Cricketer
- Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt - Church of England bishop (1757 to 1847)
- Douglas Vernon - Football player (1905 to 1979)
- Karl Vernon - Rower and rowing coach (1880 to 1973)
- Henry Vernon - Cricketer (1828 to 1855)
- George Vernon - Cricketer and rugby union football player (1856 to 1902)
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.