Varnes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Scotland
Ireland

Early Origins of the Varnes family

The surname Varnes was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say before the Norman invasion of 1066.

They were originally a sept of the Grahams (hence the same escallops and colours as the Graham Coat of Arms) and known as the Mac-Gille-Warnocks, and gave their name to the parish of Gaitgillmakkilwernock in Kirkcudbrightshire. The Clan was more properly known as the MacIlvernocks.

Some of the first records of the family include: Robert Warnot (probably the same name) who had a remission for his share in holding Dumbarton Castle against the king in 1489 and Andree Warnoche in Lanark who had a remission in 1505. Later, James Warnok was a witness in Ayrshire in 1562. 1

Early History of the Varnes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Varnes research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1185, 1320, 1489, 1602, 1688 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Varnes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Varnes Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Warnock, MacGilvernock, Warnick, Warnoch, McIlvernock, M'Illvernoche and many more.

Early Notables of the Varnes family

More information is included under the topic Early Varnes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Varnes family to Ireland

Some of the Varnes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Varnes family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Warnock who settled in Newcastle, Del. in 1789; John and Jane Warnock settled in New York in 1823; Hugh, James, John, Joseph, Robert, Samuel, Thomas, and William Warnock, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1850 and 1860.

Contemporary Notables of the name Varnes (post 1700) +

Blair L. Varnes, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 12th District, 1948 2

The Varnes Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ne oublie
Motto Translation: Don't forget.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html