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

Varnes, 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 Varnes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Varnes in America

Varnes is the 24982nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Varnes surname appeared 995 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 Varnes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Varnes 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 Varnes

The surname Varnes is of English origin, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "fern," which referred to the fern plant. The name likely denoted someone who lived near a place where ferns grew abundantly.

In its early days, the name was spelled in various ways, such as Verne, Ferne, and Ferne. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling practices in those times. The earliest recorded instance of the name Varnes can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated 1279, where it appears as "Johanna de la Ferne."

The Varnes surname has been present in various historical records throughout the centuries. One notable mention is in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327, which lists a "Thomas de Ferne." Additionally, the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1428 mention a "John Verne."

In terms of notable individuals bearing the surname Varnes, one of the earliest was John Verne, born in 1543 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a renowned scholar and author, known for his works on theology and philosophy.

Another notable figure was Sir William Varnes (1595-1662), an English politician and landowner from Warwickshire. He served as a Member of Parliament during the English Civil War and was a staunch supporter of the Royalist cause.

In the 18th century, the Varnes surname gained prominence with the birth of Thomas Varnes (1737-1805), a celebrated English painter known for his landscapes and portraits. His works can be found in various art galleries across the United Kingdom.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Mary Varnes (1823-1891), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She established several schools for girls and campaigned tirelessly for equal educational opportunities for women.

Lastly, we have Sir Arthur Varnes (1867-1945), a distinguished British military officer who served in both World Wars. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery and leadership during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

The surname Varnes has a rich history, with roots tracing back to the medieval period in England. While the name has undergone various spelling changes over the centuries, its essence remains tied to the natural world, specifically the fern plant.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Varnes

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

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 Varnes 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 Varnes 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 Varnes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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