The Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Varelas family. Their name comes from the Gaelic name Muiredachus, meaning "belonging to the sea, a mariner," from which also comes the more common and quite distinct name Murdoch.
Loading...
Early Origins of the Varelas family
The surname Varelas was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
Early History of the Varelas family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Varelas research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1485 and 1845 are included under the topic Early Varelas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Varelas Spelling Variations
Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Varelas has been written as MacVurrich, MacVurich, MacVarish, MacVarrais, MacVarrich, MacWirriche, MacVorist, MacVorish, MacMorice, MacNuirighe and many more.
Early Notables of the Varelas family
More information is included under the topic Early Varelas Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Loading...
Migration of the Varelas family
Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Varelas or a variant listed above: Archibald, Florence, Lachlan, Mary and Merrau McVurich arrived in New York State in 1739.
