Show ContentsVernor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Vernor family

The surname Vernor was first found in Edinburghshire, a former county, now part of the Midlothian council area where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Vernor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vernor research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1428, 1478, 1529 and 1550 are included under the topic Early Vernor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vernor Spelling Variations

The name, Vernor, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Verner, Vernour, Vernor and others.

Early Notables of the Vernor family

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

Ireland Migration of the Vernor family to Ireland

Some of the Vernor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Vernor migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Vernor surname who came to North America were:

Vernor Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Vernor, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 [1]
Vernor Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Philip Christian Vernor, aged 47, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 [1]
  • William Vernor, aged 17, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Vernor (post 1700) +

  • James Vernor Sr. (1843-1927), American pharmacist and druggist who invented Vernors brand ginger ale in 1866
  • George Vernor, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1908, 1912 [2]
  • Major-General Guy Vernor Henry (1875-1967), American Chairman of Military Co-operation Commission Canada-US (1946-1947) [3]


The Vernor 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: Pro Christo et patria
Motto Translation: For Christ and Country.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 12) Guy Henry. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Henry/Guy_Vernor/USA.html


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