Map of England showing where the Varty arms are recorded
The Varty arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Varty arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Varty Family in England
The Varty family name has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Cumberland, England, where members were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Historians believe the name is locational in origin, likely derived from a place name or a specific geographic feature in the northern borderlands. Life in Cumberland during the 1600s was defined by the proximity to the Scottish border, which often made the region a challenging place to live. Families in this area were frequently involved in agriculture and local trade, adapting to the harsh climate and the unique social structure of the northern counties. By 1620, the Varty name appeared in local parish registers, suggesting that the family had already become a stable part of the community. These early records indicate that the family lived through a transformative period in English history, witnessing the transition from the Elizabethan era into the political unrest of the seventeenth century. Their presence in the region for centuries reflects a long tradition of resilience and local identity within the historic county of Cumberland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vart
A Middle English term derived from the Old French word for guard.
This name
VartyAn occupational surname for a watchman or a guard stationed at a gate.
also spelled
Vartie
Vartay
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Cumbria Archive Service, Parish Registers of Cumberland, 1600–1650
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
