Verner

This interesting surname is of Scottish origin, and derives from the male Germanic personal name "Warner" composed of the elements "war(in)" meaning to guard, with "heri" or "hari" an army. The name was introduced into England by the Normans in the form "Garnier" and was widespread from the 12th to 14th Centuries. Verner is the Scottish form of the English surnames from this source found as Varnier, Warner and Garner. It has also been suggested that it may be a locational name from Vernours in the former county of Midlothian, but it seems more likely that this placename is derived from the family name. The surname first appears in the early half of the 15th Century (see below). William Vernour claimed land in Edinburgh as heir of his brother John Vernour (1478). Thomas Verner of Auchindinie, who died in April 1618, and Gavin Verner, who died in 1647, are both interred in Glencorse churchyard. On February 8th 1643, Bessie, daughter of Robert and Elspeth Verner, was christened at the church of Inveresk, Midlothian, Scotland, and Mary Margery, daughter of Matthias and Frances Verner, was christened on August 17th 1691, at the church of St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London. A Coat of Arms granted to the family is silver, with a black fess between three black boar's heads coupled. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Verner, which was dated 1428, burgess of Edinburgh, recorded in the "Register of Arbroath Abbey", during the reign of King James 1st of Scotland, 1406 - 1437. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.