Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Va

The surname Vaughan has its historical roots in Wales, deriving from the Welsh word "bychan," meaning "little" or "small." It first appeared in the medieval period, with records dating back to the 12th century. The name was often used as a patronymic, indicating descent from a person named Bychan, and it became associated with various noble families in Wales.

The surname Vaughn has its historical roots in Wales, deriving from the Welsh word "bychan," which means "little" or "small." It is often considered a diminutive form of the name "Vaughan," which has been recorded since the 12th century. The surname likely emerged as a way to denote a younger or smaller individual within a family or community, reflecting a common practice in Welsh naming conventions.

The surname Varga has its roots in Hungary, deriving from the Hungarian word "varga," which means "cobbler" or "shoemaker." This occupational surname likely emerged in the medieval period, when surnames began to be adopted based on trades and professions. The earliest records of the surname can be traced back to the 13th century, particularly in regions of Hungary where cobblers played a vital role in local economies.

The surname Vance has its historical roots primarily in Scotland, where it is believed to have originated from the Gaelic name "Mac a' Bhainse," meaning "son of the white one." The name is thought to have first appeared in the 13th century, particularly in the region of Fife. Over time, the Vance surname became associated with various occupations, including farming and landholding, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of early Scottish society.

The surname Valentine has its roots in the Latin name "Valentinus," which means "strong" or "healthy." It first appeared in historical records during the early medieval period, particularly in regions of Europe such as France and England. The name became popular due to the veneration of Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr whose feast day is celebrated on February 14.

The surname Vasquez has its historical roots in Spain, particularly in the region of Castile. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Vasco," which itself is derived from the Latin "Vasconis," referring to the Basque people.

The surname Vanderbilt has its roots in the Dutch surname "Van der Bilt," which translates to "from the farm" or "from the estate." The name is believed to have originated in the Netherlands, with early records dating back to the 17th century. The Vanderbilt family rose to prominence in the United States during the 19th century, particularly through the efforts of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made his fortune in shipping and railroads.

The surname Van Buren has its historical roots in the Netherlands, specifically deriving from the Dutch phrase "van Buren," which translates to "from Buren." This name likely originated as a toponymic surname, indicating that the bearers hailed from a place called Buren, a town in the province of Gelderland. The surname first appeared in records during the late Middle Ages, around the 16th century, and was associated with the social and economic structures of the time, where surnames often reflected geographical origins or occupations.

The surname Vazquez has its roots in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in Spain, where it is derived from the given name "Vasco," which itself is of Basque origin, meaning "from the Basque Country." The suffix "-ez" indicates "son of," thus Vazquez can be interpreted as "son of Vasco." This patronymic naming convention became prevalent in Spain during the Middle Ages, particularly in the 12th century, as a means of identifying lineage. Historically, individuals bearing the surname may have been associated with various occupations, including farming, trade, and military service, reflecting the agrarian and feudal society of the time.

The surname Valdez has its historical roots in Spain, particularly in the region of Castile. It is derived from the Spanish word "valdez," which is believed to mean "valley" or "dweller in the valley," indicating a geographical connection to the landscape where the original bearers of the name lived.

The surname Van Dijk has its origins in the Netherlands, deriving from the Dutch words "van," meaning "from," and "dijk," which translates to "dike" or "dyke." This indicates a geographical origin, likely referring to individuals who lived near or were associated with a dike, a crucial feature in Dutch landscape management, especially in areas prone to flooding. The surname first appeared in historical records during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century, as the Dutch began to adopt hereditary surnames.

The surname Van den Berg has its roots in the Netherlands, where it is a toponymic surname derived from the Dutch words "van" meaning "from" and "den berg" meaning "the mountain" or "the hill." This indicates that the original bearers of the name likely lived near a notable geographical feature, such as a hill or mountain. The surname first appeared in the medieval period, with records dating back to the 14th century.

The surname Van has its roots in the Dutch and Flemish regions, where it is often used as a prefix meaning "from" or "of," indicating geographical origin. Historically, it was commonly associated with noble families or landowners, signifying their connection to a particular place or estate.

The surname Varney has its historical roots in England, with origins that can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is believed to derive from the Old French personal name "Varnay," which itself is thought to be linked to the word "verne," meaning "alder tree." This connection suggests that the early bearers of the surname may have lived near or worked with alder trees, which were common in wetland areas.

The surname Vallee has its roots in the French language, deriving from the word "vallée," which means "valley." Historically, it is believed to have first appeared in France, particularly in regions characterized by valleys and low-lying areas. The surname likely developed as a topographical identifier for individuals or families living in or near such geographical features.

The surname Vail has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old French word "val," meaning "valley." It is believed to have first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, as a topographical surname for individuals who lived near or in a valley. Over time, the name evolved, with variations such as Vale and Vailes emerging, reflecting the geographical features of the landscape where the bearers resided.

The surname Valenzuela has its historical roots in Spain, particularly in the region of Andalusia. It is derived from the Spanish word "valenzuela," which is a diminutive form of "valencia," meaning "strength" or "valor." The name likely originated as a locational surname, referring to individuals from places named Valenzuela, which can be found in various parts of Spain.

The surname Valentin has its roots in the Latin name "Valentinus," which means "strong" or "healthy." It first appeared in historical records during the early Middle Ages, particularly in regions influenced by the Roman Empire. The name became popularized through the veneration of Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr whose feast day is celebrated on February 14.

The surname Vale has its historical roots primarily in England, where it is believed to have originated from the Old French word "val," meaning "valley." This suggests that the name may have been used to denote someone who lived near or in a valley, reflecting the geographical features of the landscape. The surname first appeared in written records during the medieval period, with variations such as de la Vale or de Vale indicating noble lineage or land ownership.

The surname Varner has its historical roots primarily in the Germanic and Anglo-Saxon regions, with its earliest appearances traced back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old High German word "farna," meaning "to travel" or "to journey," which may suggest that the original bearers of the surname were involved in occupations related to travel or trade.