Varcoe

This unusual name is well recorded but in a wide variety of spellings. It may have two possible origins, the first and most probable being as an alternative spelling of the 'Olde English' topogaphical 'Vior-Coombe' i.e. the wooded valley Thomas Viecome being recorded at St. James Clerkenwell, in 1690. The second is French - Huguenot for which there are several examples of 'link' surnames including James Viarques recorded as a witness at St. Annes, Soho in 1823 and William Varcoa whose daughter Margaret Jane was christened at St. Pancres Old Church in 1811. Earlier developments include William Varcoe christened at St. Annes, Soho on December 12th 1736. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mary Verco, which was dated 1650, christened at St, Brides Church, Fleet Street, London, during the reign of Oliver Cromwell, 'The Lord Protector', 1650 - 1658. 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.