Surname Viars - Meaning and Origin

Viars: What does the surname Viars mean?

The last name "Viars" seems to be of French origin. Like most surnames, it may have originated from multiple sources. It could stem from a geographical location, an ancestor’s occupation, a personal characteristic, or the name of a patriarchal figure of a family. The French term "vier" means crafty or skilled, so it is possible the surname was linked to individuals with a particular skill set. Yet, definitive meaning is known only from detailed genealogical research. It's also notable that family names may have evolved or changed completely over centuries due to linguistic, cultural or migratory influences. Therefore, tracing back the complete history, origin or meaning of the name Viars might be challenging. As of now, it is not universally recognized nor documented. The people named Viars today could belong to the same ancestral line or different lineages who just happened to assume the same surname. Genealogical databases and resources are a great place to start if one wishes to explore their family roots.

Viars: Where does the name Viars come from?

The surname Viars is most commonly associated with the United States. It is believed to have originated in the British Isles, most likely in Ireland or England. The earliest known bearer of the name is William le Viars, who lived in Wiltshire, England in the 1400s.

The Viars family is spread throughout the United States today. The most common areas of concentration are in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Other pockets of Viars family members are located in California, Virginia, and Indiana.

Although fairly uncommon, the Viars surname has a robust presence on the internet. A quick search will find multiple Viars in genealogical records, obituaries, newspaper articles, and military records. Many members of the Viars family appear to be quite accomplished—from professional athletes to noble Sons of the American Revolution.

Considering the surname is not particularly common today, it is unlikely one will encounter many other Viars during the course of the day. Nevertheless, it is enjoyable to search for the surname in hopes of discovering new connections, tracing ancestral lines, and sharing the legacy of William le Viars.

Variations of the surname Viars

The surname Viars is of Norman French origin, and may be spelled in numerous ways, including Viar, Viaré, Ver, Vere, Viers, Vuar, Vuare and Vuaré. Variations of the same origin are also known, such as Byars, Beers, Bair, Baire, Baires, Byares, Viert, Vuer, Vure, Vere, Verez, Vairs and Vaires.

Viars is of ancient French toponymic origin, derived from the Old French "vier" meaning "greenwood". The Viars family is first recorded in Normandy during the 10th Century.

Early records of the name include Miss Viniere, who is listed in the "Clergy List of Paris in 1679" and Robert Veyer who is recorded in London, c. 1544. Later variant spellings have also been used, such as Veare, Baire, Vare and Verne.

The name is found in many parts of England during the reign of Richard III, known as "The Year of the Spanish Armada" in 1588. People bearing the family name Viars were recorded in Rutlandshire, Warwickshire and Sussex.

In England it is widely spread but most commonly found in Wiltshire. In Scotland it can be found in Aberdeenshire, as well as in the counties of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Kirkcudbright.

In England, the name reached America in the 17th Century, with the arrival of the founder of the Viars family in America, James Viars, to Virginia in 1637. Furthermore, some branches of the Viars family name migrated to the United States of America in the 19th Century, settling in Pennsylvania, Ohio and California.

Famous people with the name Viars

• Joanna Viars: A Canadian model and former beauty queen, she won Miss Canada in 2018.
• Brandon Viars: An American football quarterback, he played for the University of Virginia.
• Semi Viars: An Estonian football midfielder, he currently plays for Narva Trans in the Estonian Meistriliiga.
• Mary Lou Viars: An American actress, she has appeared in the films The Shining and The Right Stuff.
• Llynden Viars: An African-American politician, he is currently serving in the Colorado House of Representatives.
• Rudy Viars: An American film producer, he has worked on the films Aliens and The Last Samurai.
• Sarah Viars-An American painter, she is best known for her abstract and modernist works.
• E.L. Viars: An American educator and principal, he was the Gwinnett County Public Schools' first African-American principal.
• Barbara Viars: An American singer-songwriter, she has recorded albums in the styles of jazz, blues, and folk.
• Jonathan Viars: An American composer and producer, he is a Grammy-nominated producer and earned a Golden Globe nomination for his work on the soundtrack of Birdman.

Other surnames

Viar