UK surname
A Scottish locational surname derived from the lands of Buie in the parish of Crimond, Aberdeenshire.
In the 1881 census there were 147 people recorded with the Buie surname, ranking it #15,674 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #15,674 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dallas, Speymouth and Elgin. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Buie is 267 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 69.4%.
1881 census count
147
Ranked #15,674
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1851
267 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Buie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Buie 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 | 267 | #8,342 |
| 1861 | historical | 192 | #12,423 |
| 1881 | historical | 147 | #15,674 |
| 1891 | historical | 105 | #23,241 |
| 1901 | historical | 98 | #23,119 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 38 | #33,872 |
| 1998 | modern | 42 | #33,651 |
| 1999 | modern | 45 | #33,511 |
| 2000 | modern | 48 | #33,288 |
| 2001 | modern | 46 | #33,311 |
| 2002 | modern | 50 | #33,282 |
| 2003 | modern | 52 | #33,160 |
| 2004 | modern | 49 | #33,647 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 45 | #34,491 |
| 2007 | modern | 45 | #34,699 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 38 | #35,514 |
| 2011 | modern | 37 | #35,553 |
| 2012 | modern | 43 | #35,224 |
| 2013 | modern | 44 | #35,222 |
| 2014 | modern | 48 | #35,041 |
| 2015 | modern | 44 | #35,212 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dallas, Speymouth, Elgin, Craignish and Jura. 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 | Dallas | Elgin |
| 2 | Speymouth | Elgin |
| 3 | Elgin | Elgin |
| 4 | Craignish | Argyll |
| 5 | Jura | Argyll |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Buie 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 Buie, 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 Buie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Buie 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, Buie 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 Buie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Buie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BUIE has its origins in Scotland, specifically in the Highlands region. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "buidhe," which means "yellow" or "fair-haired." The name likely referred to someone with blonde or light-colored hair, a distinguishing physical characteristic in the region at the time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BUIE dates back to the 16th century. In 1542, a document from the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland mentioned a person named "Johnne Bwy," which is thought to be an early spelling variation of the surname.
Throughout the centuries, the name BUIE has been associated with various notable individuals. One such person was James Buie, a Scottish mathematician who lived from 1698 to 1776. He made significant contributions to the field of geometry and was a professor at the University of St. Andrews.
Another prominent figure with the surname BUIE was Robert Buie, a Scottish soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Born in 1745, he served as a lieutenant in the British Army and later settled in Nova Scotia after the war ended.
In the 19th century, there was a family of BUIE landowners in Argyllshire, Scotland. The family's ancestral home was located in the village of Kilmichael Glassary, and they were influential members of the local community.
Moving to the 20th century, one notable bearer of the name BUIE was David Buie, a Scottish-born architect who lived from 1900 to 1978. He designed several notable buildings in the United States, including the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Colorado.
Another individual with the surname BUIE was Jessie Buie, a Scottish poet and writer who lived from 1884 to 1962. She published several collections of poetry and prose, often drawing inspiration from her Highland heritage and the natural landscapes of Scotland.
While the surname BUIE has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, its earliest recorded instances and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the Scottish Highlands and the Gaelic language.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Buie 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. Argyllshire leads with 67 Buies recorded in 1881 and an index of 169.02x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Argyllshire | 67 | 169.02x |
| Morayshire | 38 | 171.71x |
| Banffshire | 11 | 37.24x |
| Renfrewshire | 11 | 9.97x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.47x |
| Berkshire | 4 | 3.74x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.43x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 1.05x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 0.76x |
| Inverness-shire | 1 | 2.35x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Jura in Argyllshire leads with 31 Buies recorded in 1881 and an index of 7948.72x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Jura | 31 | 7948.72x |
| Colonsay Oronsay | 18 | 9473.68x |
| Elgin | 11 | 255.81x |
| Rothes | 10 | 925.93x |
| East Greenock | 9 | 86.37x |
| Kilarrow | 9 | 2142.86x |
| Bellie | 7 | 700.00x |
| Gamrie | 5 | 151.52x |
| Liverpool | 5 | 4.87x |
| Urquhart | 5 | 476.19x |
| Clewer | 4 | 91.32x |
| Fordyce | 4 | 187.79x |
| Kildalton | 3 | 285.71x |
| Kirkdale | 3 | 10.55x |
| Knockando | 3 | 333.33x |
| Kilchoman | 2 | 161.29x |
| Speymouth | 2 | 625.00x |
| West Greenock | 2 | 10.10x |
| Anderston | 1 | 833.33x |
| Blythswood | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Botriphnie | 1 | 294.12x |
| Drumblade | 1 | 212.77x |
| Edinburgh Canongate | 1 | 20.58x |
| Glassary | 1 | 46.73x |
| Inverness | 1 | 9.35x |
| Kilcalmonell Kilberry | 1 | 454.55x |
| Kilfinichen | 1 | 102.04x |
| Knapdale North | 1 | 222.22x |
| North Leith | 1 | 11.33x |
| Ordiquhill | 1 | 285.71x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 14.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Buie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Buie 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 Buie households.
FAQ
In 1881, 147 people were recorded with the Buie surname. That placed it at #15,674 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Buie a modern rank of #35,162.
A Scottish locational surname derived from the lands of Buie in the parish of Crimond, Aberdeenshire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Buie 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.