Surname Viar - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Viar: What does the surname Viar mean?
The surname Viar is of Spanish origin, derived from the Basque region in Spain. The name is topographic, referring to someone who lived by a road. It is derived from the Old French term "veer", meaning a change of direction or course, and later adapted to "via", meaning road or way. Therefore, it could also be related to people who worked in jobs connected with roads, such as toll collectors, road construction, or maintenance workers. Like many surnames, the exact meaning can vary and could be specific to a particular family line. It's also important to note that surnames' interpretations can change over time and between cultures. This name is quite rare but can be found in various countries worldwide, including the United States, India, and Spain. Individual experiences and family histories all contribute to the unique story of a surname.
Order DNA origin analysisViar: Where does the name Viar come from?
The last name Viar is commonly found in English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, Viar is most commonly found in the states of Virginia, Illinois, and Tennessee according to the 2010 Census.
In Canada, the most concentrated population of Viar can be found in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, with additional concentrations found in Alberta and British Columbia.
There is also a sizable population of Viar in the United Kingdom, specifically in the counties of Essex, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, and London. Viar can also be found in various other parts of Europe, particularly in italian-speaking regions such as Italy, Switzerland, and the Vatican City.
Overall, the last name Viar is a fairly common name across Anglo-American countries, and is believed to have originated in Northern Italy in the 14th and 15th centuries. The most common spelling of the name at the time—Viari—likely came from the word “viar”, meaning to pass or go through. Today, Viar exists as both a surname and a first name in various English-speaking areas.
Variations of the surname Viar
Viar is a fairly uncommon name, but there are several potential variants, spellings, and related surnames that could be related to the same origin.
The most common spelling of Viar is Viard, although some may also spell it Viart or Vyar. Other possible variations of the name include Viarra, Viarre, and Vyenne.
Viar may be related to the French surname de Viarre, which is derived from old French terms for a marsh or bog. This surname could have been given to someone who lived near a marsh or bog. It may also have been adapted from various versions of the German name Bieber, which is derived from the word biber, meaning "beaver." This surname could have been given to someone who lived near a body of water where beavers were common.
Variations of the German surname Bieber include Beber, Bebere, Bebert, Beberec, Bebereck, and Beberez.
The name Viar may also have roots in the Italian surname Verri, which is based on the Latin word verres, meaning "twisted." This surname could have been given to someone with a twisted nose or crooked face. Variations of the Italian surname Verri include Vair, Vairo, Vairone, and Vairano.
The French surname Vial may be related to Viar as well. This surname could have been given to someone who lived on a wall or road near a water source, as vial means "raise dike" in French. Variations of the French surname Vial include Viale, Viallet, and Vialard.
Famous people with the name Viar
- John Viar: John Viar is an actor and former member of the West Point Band, and has performed all around the world. He is best known for his turn in the musical The King and I.
- Jodi Viar: Jodi Viar is an American business executive and corporate consultant. She most recently served as executive vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle, a commercial real estate company.
- Philip Viar: Philip Viar is a musician and professor of music. He is the director of choral activities and professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- James Viar: James Viar is an American screenwriter and actor. He is best known for co-writing the script for the 2012 film Argo, which won an Academy Award for Best Picture.
- Cecilia Viar: Cecilia Viar is an attorney and gender equality and human rights advocate. She is currently the Vice President for Development and Communications of the Institute of Women's Studies and Research in Lebanon.
- Mary Viar: Mary Viar is an American businesswoman. Viar is the president and CEO of WestStar Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the United States.
- Pete Viar: Pete Viar is an American politician. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2020.
- Barbara Viar: Barbara Viar is an American philanthropist and entrepreneur. She is the founder and president of the Leukaemia Assistance Fund, and a former Air Force Captain.