Surname Varns - Meaning and Origin
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Varns: What does the surname Varns mean?
The last name Varns is of Germanic origin and its specific origin is somewhat unknown, with several potential contenders for this ancestry. Varns is believed to be derived from a Germanic personal name, possibly ‘Warno’ or 'Varney', from the words ‘war’ for ‘guard’ and ‘gen’ for ‘family’ or ‘race’, respectively. This could indicate the root of the name being associated with a protector or guard of some kind, or else with someone who was part of a noble family or clan.
The earliest known records of the name Varns appear in medieval Germany, where it appears to have been a relatively popular name. From there it spread to Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, as well as to what is now the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Croatia.
Although it’s not known for sure why the name was chosen for particular families in the past, it is likely to have been due to its association with a protector or guard. The name may have been chosen to indicate a noble status, particularly when the Varns family was in one of the areas mentioned, where the notion of nobility was particularly important.
Beyond this, it’s difficult to comment on the exact meaning of the name with any certainty, although it does have long-standing roots elsewhere in Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisVarns: Where does the name Varns come from?
The last name Varns has been present in Germany, Poland, Sweden, and the Netherlands since the early 1800s. It is found in the Netherlands mostly in the province of Groningen, where it is the 44th most common surname.
In the United States, Varns is found in relatively low numbers. The surname can be found in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio with a few Varns families found in New York, Illinois, and Iowa as well.
Varns is thoughtful to be of Germanic/Slavic origin. It is a variation of the surname Varn which is derived from the old German word 'vahrn' meaning an obstacle or encircling wall. Varn is also an old Germanic word for 'guard' or 'sentry'.
In Sweden and Norway, the last name Varns is speculated to have been used as an occupational name, linking it back to the Germanic roots of the surname.
Today, the last name Varns is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as in small numbers in the United States. The commonness of the surname varies by country and region.
Variations of the surname Varns
The surname Varns is predominantly of Dutch, German, and Scandinavian origin. It is a patronymic or baptismal name derived from the Germanic personal name "Vern" or "Verney". Variants of the surname include Varn, Verne, Vairne, Varney, Varrne, Vern, Verne, and Vorn.
In Dutch, the surname Varns is primarily localized along the northern, northeastern, and western borders of the Netherlands. Within those regions, the name is most common among the towns of Zwolle, Utrecht, Groningen, and Nijmegen. Common German variants include von Verns and von Varns.
In Scandinavia, the surname has also acquired a variety ofdifferent spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variations of the name used predominantly in Scandinavia include Verness and Vernes. Another variation of the surname used in Scandinavia is the combination of two names, namely Varnes and Varnhs.
In addition to these regional variations, the name Varns also has several distinct related surnames which are primarily localized along the western and northern coasts of France and in the United Kingdom. These related surnames include: Vernot, Varnet, Vernier, and Varner. All of these related surnames have multiple spellings.
Overall, the surnames Varns, Verns, and Varn are among the most commonly used variants of the same family name in Europe. The regional variations and related names provide a unique sense of identity for those who bear the family name of Varns.
Famous people with the name Varns
- Valerie Varns: Valerie Varns is a professional golfer from the United States. She currently plays on the Symetra Tour, the developmental tour of the LPGA Tour.
- Jess Varns: Jess Varns is a professional strongman and powerlifter from the United States. He has won numerous powerlifting competitions and is a former national Strongman champion.
- Scott Varns: Scott Varns is a professional mixed martial artist from the United States. He has fought in both the UFC and Bellator MMA and holds a professional record of 13 wins and 4 losses.
- Matthew Varns: Matthew Varns is a film director, cinematographer, and editor from the United States. He has directed numerous short films and commercials, and he recently directed his first feature film.
- Drew Varns: Drew Varns is a professional surfer from the United States. He has won several surfing competitions and is one of the most prominent surfers in the United States.
- Chris Varns: Chris Varns is a professional baseball player from the United States. He has played in several Major League Baseball teams and is currently a free agent.
- Debbie Varns: Debbie Varns is a country music singer from the United States. She has released several successful singles and has performed at numerous music festivals.
- Jennifer Varns: Jennifer Varns is an Olympic silver medalist from the United States. She won the silver medal in the long jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- Neil Varns: Neil Varns is an ice hockey player from Canada. He currently plays in the National Hockey League and has represented Canada in several international competitions.
- Kenneth Varns: Kenneth Varns is a Pulitzer prize winning author from the United States. He is best known for his novels The Gilded Age and The Tunisian Rainbow.