UK surname
A Scots surname derived from the Gaelic word "beathaidh" meaning prosperous or lively.
In the 1881 census there were 231 people recorded with the Beatie surname, ranking it #11,722 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 43, ranked #35,285, down from #11,722 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Govan Combination and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beatie is 290 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 81.4%.
1881 census count
231
Ranked #11,722
Modern count
43
2016, ranked #35,285
Peak year
1851
290 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Beatie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Beatie surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 290 | #7,844 |
| 1861 | historical | 240 | #10,226 |
| 1881 | historical | 231 | #11,722 |
| 1891 | historical | 222 | #13,854 |
| 1901 | historical | 105 | #22,179 |
| 1911 | historical | 64 | #26,435 |
| 1997 | modern | 42 | #33,459 |
| 1998 | modern | 32 | #34,633 |
| 1999 | modern | 36 | #34,323 |
| 2000 | modern | 22 | #35,684 |
| 2001 | modern | 18 | #35,961 |
| 2002 | modern | 22 | #35,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 25 | #35,610 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 30 | #35,736 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 41 | #35,328 |
| 2013 | modern | 41 | #35,384 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 43 | #35,285 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Govan Combination, Toxteth Park, Greenock and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Greenock | Renfrew |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Beatie surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Beatie, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Beatie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Beatie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Beatie is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beatie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Beatie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BEATIE is of Scottish origin, with its earliest known roots traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic personal name "Beatag" or "Beataidh," which translates to "prosperous" or "wealthy." This name was originally a diminutive form of the name Bethoc, a feminine name meaning "consecrated to God."
The BEATIE surname is concentrated in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and Inverness-shire. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Scottish Parish Records, which date back to the 16th century. Some variations in the spelling include Beattie, Beatty, Beaty, and Beitie.
One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname BEATIE was John Beattie, who was born in Inverness-shire in 1588. He was a prominent figure in the local community and served as a magistrate in the town of Kingussie.
In the 17th century, the BEATIE surname gained prominence with the birth of James Beattie (1635-1718), a Scottish poet and philosopher. He is best known for his work "An Essay on Truth," which was widely acclaimed for its defense of common sense and opposition to skepticism.
Another notable figure was William Beattie (1793-1875), a Scottish politician and lawyer who served as the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1849 to 1858. He played a significant role in the reform of Scottish legal institutions and was knighted for his contributions.
In the 19th century, James Beattie (1809-1890) was a Scottish-American naturalist and ornithologist. He made significant contributions to the study of bird life in the United States and published several works on the subject, including "The Ohio Farmer's Birds."
Lastly, David Beattie (1924-2001) was a renowned Scottish artist known for his landscapes and seascapes. His works captured the rugged beauty of the Scottish countryside and are held in collections across the United Kingdom.
These are just a few examples of prominent individuals who have carried the BEATIE surname throughout history, reflecting its Scottish heritage and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beatie surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 45 Beaties recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.68x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 45 | 1.68x |
| Lanarkshire | 23 | 3.14x |
| Cumberland | 21 | 10.78x |
| Middlesex | 15 | 0.66x |
| Ayrshire | 12 | 7.09x |
| Yorkshire | 12 | 0.54x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 11 | 33.58x |
| Renfrewshire | 11 | 6.27x |
| Staffordshire | 8 | 1.05x |
| Kent | 7 | 0.91x |
| Surrey | 7 | 0.63x |
| Westmorland | 7 | 14.08x |
| Durham | 6 | 0.89x |
| Essex | 5 | 1.12x |
| Kincardineshire | 5 | 18.14x |
| Aberdeenshire | 4 | 1.91x |
| Angus | 4 | 1.91x |
| Buckinghamshire | 4 | 2.92x |
| West Lothian | 4 | 11.74x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 0.98x |
| Stirlingshire | 3 | 3.59x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.40x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 0.66x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 0.59x |
| Sussex | 2 | 0.52x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 1.05x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 1.64x |
| Fife | 1 | 0.75x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.22x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.28x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 0.72x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.34x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toxteth Park in Lancashire leads with 17 Beaties recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.70x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Beatie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 8 |
| Jane | 6 |
| Mary | 5 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Charlotte | 3 |
| Janet | 3 |
| Margaret | 3 |
| Sarah | 3 |
| ... | 2 |
| Agnes | 2 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Catherine | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Elizth. | 2 |
| Fanny | 2 |
| Isabella | 2 |
| Kate | 2 |
| Susannah | 2 |
| A. | 1 |
| Annie | 1 |
| Bessie | 1 |
| Bridget | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Daisy | 1 |
| Diana | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Hester | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Lab... | 1 |
| Lily | 1 |
| Pheboe | 1 |
| Violet | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Beatie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Beatie households.
FAQ
In 1881, 231 people were recorded with the Beatie surname. That placed it at #11,722 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 43 in 2016. That gives Beatie a modern rank of #35,285.
A Scots surname derived from the Gaelic word "beathaidh" meaning prosperous or lively.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Beatie bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.