NameCensus.

UK surname

Devaux

A french surname derived from the word "val" meaning valley.

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Devaux surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 104, ranked #30,317, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Tendring and Babergh.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Devaux is 111 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1200.0%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

2014

111 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Devaux had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 31 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Devaux surname distribution map

The map shows where the Devaux surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Devaux surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Devaux over time

The 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 21 #29,550
1861 historical 19 #31,470
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 22 #32,449
1901 historical 27 #31,057
1911 historical 31 #29,952
1997 modern 71 #30,521
1998 modern 90 #28,920
1999 modern 92 #28,833
2000 modern 96 #28,299
2001 modern 86 #29,281
2002 modern 97 #28,383
2003 modern 91 #29,121
2004 modern 92 #29,197
2005 modern 96 #28,671
2006 modern 96 #28,946
2007 modern 94 #29,650
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 99 #29,754
2010 modern 98 #30,540
2011 modern 99 #30,218
2012 modern 100 #30,258
2013 modern 104 #30,076
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Devaux' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Greenwich, Tendring, Babergh, Mid Suffolk and Bexley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Greenwich 003 Greenwich
2 Tendring 017 Tendring
3 Babergh 004 Babergh
4 Mid Suffolk 011 Mid Suffolk
5 Bexley 026 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Devaux

These lists show first names that appear often with the Devaux surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Devaux

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Devaux, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Devaux surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Devaux household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Devaux is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Devaux is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Devaux falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Devaux is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Devaux, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Devaux

The surname DEVAUX is of French origin, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century in the region of Normandy, France. The name is derived from the Old French words "de" meaning "of" or "from," and "vaux" meaning "valleys" or "vales," suggesting that the name may have been originally given to someone who lived in or near a valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Saint-Père de Chartres, a medieval manuscript dating back to the 12th century, which mentions a person named Robertus de Vallis (Robert of the Valley). This suggests that the name DEVAUX may have been a variant spelling or a later evolution of the name de Vallis.

In the 13th century, there are records of a nobleman named Raoul Devaux who owned lands in the village of Vaux-sur-Aure in Normandy. This indicates that the name may have been associated with a specific place, likely taking its name from the valleys or vales in that area.

During the Middle Ages, the name DEVAUX appeared in various forms such as de Vaux, de Valibus, and de Vallibus, reflecting the variations in spelling and language at the time. One notable figure from this period was Jean de Vaux, a French knight who participated in the Crusades in the 13th century.

In the 16th century, the name DEVAUX gained prominence with the birth of Guillaume Devaux (1505-1568), a French Protestant theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Reformation movement in France. He was known for his writings and his efforts to establish reformed churches in the country.

Another notable person with the surname DEVAUX was Marie-Anne Devaux (1718-1798), a French playwright and author who wrote several popular comedies and plays during the 18th century. Her works were performed in prominent theaters in Paris and enjoyed widespread acclaim.

In the 19th century, Émile Devaux (1820-1895) was a French artist and painter known for his landscape paintings and portraiture. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and exhibited his works at the prestigious Salon de Paris.

The name DEVAUX has also been associated with various places and geographical features throughout France, such as the commune of Vaux-sur-Aure in Normandy, which is believed to be the origin of the name, and the Vallée de Vaux in the Champagne region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Devaux families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Devaux surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 6 Devaux' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.69x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 6 7.69x
Royal Navy 1 107.53x
Worcestershire 1 9.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 4 Devaux' recorded in 1881 and an index of 92.17x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 4 92.17x
Shoreditch London 2 59.17x
Shelsley Kings 1 10000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Devaux surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Enlalie 1
Irene 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Devaux surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Leon 1
Thomas 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Devaux households.

FAQ

Devaux surname: questions and answers

How common was the Devaux surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Devaux surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Devaux surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Devaux a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Devaux surname mean?

A french surname derived from the word "val" meaning valley.

What does the Devaux map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Devaux bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.