Find out how popular the last name Varden is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Varden.

Varden, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Varden surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Varden in America

Varden is the 48160th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Varden surname appeared 439 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Varden.

We can also compare 2010 data for Varden to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Varden

The surname Varden is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, though its precise roots are uncertain. One theory suggests that it may have derived from the Old English word "varde," meaning "to guard" or "to watch over," potentially indicating that early bearers of this name were employed as watchmen or sentries.

Another possibility is that Varden is a locational surname, referring to a specific place or region. Some historians have proposed that it could be linked to the village of Wardine in Worcestershire, or perhaps Warden in Northamptonshire. Locational surnames were common during the Middle Ages, often adopted by individuals who had migrated from their original homelands.

The earliest recorded instances of the Varden surname can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable example is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mentions a William de Wardene from Oxfordshire. This document provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames and landholdings during that era.

Throughout the centuries, the Varden name has appeared in various historical records and documents, sometimes with slight variations in spelling, such as Vardyn, Vardene, or Vardine. These variations were common due to the inconsistencies in written records and the influence of regional dialects.

Noteworthy individuals bearing the Varden surname include:

1. John Varden (c. 1500 - 1570), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Shropshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Thomas Varden (1615 - 1687), a prominent English merchant and ship owner who played a significant role in the expansion of trade with the American colonies.
3. Elizabeth Varden (1742 - 1821), a renowned British botanist and naturalist, known for her extensive collections and contributions to the study of plant life.
4. William Varden (1779 - 1856), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London during the early 19th century.
5. Margaret Varden (1884 - 1968), a British suffragette and activist who campaigned tirelessly for women's rights and social reform.

While the origins of the Varden surname may remain somewhat shrouded in mystery, its enduring presence throughout history serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of English heritage and the diverse backgrounds that have shaped the nation's cultural fabric.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Varden

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Varden.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Varden was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Varden has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Varden was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Varden, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!