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

Vary, 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 Vary surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vary in America

Vary is the 54752nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vary surname appeared 376 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 Vary.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vary 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 Vary

The surname Vary is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "feor," which means "far" or "distant." This suggests that the name may have been originally given to someone who lived far away from a central location or traveled long distances.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Vary can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Fervere." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England and provides valuable insights into the origins and distribution of many English surnames.

The name Vary has undergone several spelling variations over the centuries, including Farvere, Farver, Farver, and Varray. These variations reflect the influence of regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during that time period.

One notable figure in history who bore the surname Vary was Sir John Vary (c. 1450-1512), a English knight and courtier who served under King Henry VII. He held significant positions, including Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of the Tower of London.

Another individual of note was William Vary (c. 1560-1624), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts, including "A Treatise on the Lord's Supper" and "A Discourse on the Sacrament of Baptism."

In the 17th century, the name Vary appeared in several parish records in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire, suggesting a concentration of the family in these areas.

During the 18th century, the Vary surname was associated with the town of Farringdon, located in Berkshire. This connection is evidenced by the presence of John Vary (1701-1768), a prominent landowner and merchant who played a significant role in the local community.

Another notable figure was Thomas Vary (1770-1842), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He rose through the ranks and achieved the position of Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy.

As the centuries progressed, the Vary surname became more widely distributed across England and even spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. However, its origins and historical significance remain rooted in the medieval period and the Old English language, reflecting the rich tapestry of English surnames and their intriguing etymological journeys.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vary

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

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

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

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