NameCensus.

UK surname

Geddie

A Scottish surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a diminutive form of the name Geddes.

In the 1881 census there were 133 people recorded with the Geddie surname, ranking it #16,676 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 79, ranked #33,100, down from #16,676 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Urquhart, Markinch and Speymouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Geddie is 146 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 40.6%.

1881 census count

133

Ranked #16,676

Modern count

79

2016, ranked #33,100

Peak year

1901

146 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 1901

Key insights

  • Geddie had 133 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,676 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 79 in 2016, ranked #33,100.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 146 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Geddie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Geddie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Geddie 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 80 #19,558
1861 historical 124 #17,797
1881 historical 133 #16,676
1891 historical 123 #20,939
1901 historical 146 #18,335
1911 historical 27 #30,437
1997 modern 79 #29,672
1998 modern 81 #29,849
1999 modern 83 #29,823
2000 modern 74 #30,785
2001 modern 71 #30,907
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 74 #31,091
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 82 #30,617
2006 modern 83 #30,808
2007 modern 82 #31,295
2008 modern 77 #32,181
2009 modern 78 #32,471
2010 modern 85 #32,185
2011 modern 82 #32,449
2012 modern 71 #33,573
2013 modern 72 #33,631
2014 modern 81 #33,061
2015 modern 81 #32,975
2016 modern 79 #33,100

Geography

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Where Geddies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Urquhart, Markinch, Speymouth, Edinburgh and Kennoway. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Urquhart Elgin
2 Markinch Fife
3 Speymouth Elgin
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Kennoway Fife

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Geddie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Geddie

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Geddie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Geddie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Geddie 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Geddie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Geddie

The surname GEDDIE is believed to have originated in Scotland during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic personal name "Geddie" or "Geddy," which itself comes from the term "gead" meaning "pike" or "scorpion."

The earliest known record of the name GEDDIE dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage pledges made to King Edward I of England by Scottish nobles and landowners. One such entry mentions a "Johannes Geddye de Berwik."

Over the centuries, the name GEDDIE has been recorded with various spellings, including Geddy, Gedy, and Geddies. Some of these variations may have been influenced by regional dialects or scribal errors in historical documents.

One notable bearer of the GEDDIE surname was John Geddie (1815-1872), a Scottish-born Presbyterian missionary who played a significant role in the evangelization of the New Hebrides (present-day Vanuatu) in the South Pacific.

Another individual of historical significance was William Geddie (1848-1900), a Scottish-American industrialist and co-founder of the Aluminum Company of America, now known as Alcoa Corporation.

In the realm of literature, the name GEDDIE is associated with John Geddie (1840-1915), a Scottish-born author and journalist who wrote extensively on the history and culture of Canada, where he settled in the late 19th century.

The GEDDIE surname can also be found in place names, such as Geddie's Croft and Geddie's Hill, both located in Scotland. These names likely originated from early landowners or residents bearing the GEDDIE surname.

Another notable figure was Alexander Geddie (1753-1818), a Scottish merchant and landowner who played a role in the establishment of the town of Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the late 18th century.

While the GEDDIE surname has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through Scottish emigration to North America and other regions during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Geddie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Geddie 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. Morayshire leads with 39 Geddies recorded in 1881 and an index of 193.45x.

County Total Index
Morayshire 39 193.45x
Fife 18 23.44x
Banffshire 17 63.17x
Midlothian 10 5.75x
Angus 8 6.66x
Lanarkshire 7 1.67x
Perthshire 6 10.30x
Renfrewshire 6 5.97x
Dunbartonshire 4 11.47x
Lancashire 4 0.26x
Ross-shire 4 11.23x
Durham 3 0.78x
Middlesex 3 0.23x
Northumberland 1 0.52x
Somerset 1 0.48x
Surrey 1 0.16x
Warwickshire 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Urquhart in Morayshire leads with 34 Geddies recorded in 1881 and an index of 3578.95x.

Place Total Index
Urquhart 34 3578.95x
Banff 16 683.76x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 9 12.87x
Dundee 7 15.60x
Auchterderran 6 310.88x
Cathcart 6 110.29x
Perth East Church 6 109.29x
Accrington 4 28.57x
Dumbarton 4 82.47x
Fortrose 4 1818.18x
Hamilton 4 34.19x
Markinch 4 153.26x
Drainie 3 167.60x
Islington London 3 2.39x
Kennoway 3 428.57x
Largo 3 300.00x
Westoe 3 13.71x
Falkland 2 165.29x
Govan 2 1.93x
Barony 1 0.94x
Bermondsey 1 2.59x
Dallas 1 243.90x
Edgbaston 1 9.86x
Elswick 1 6.49x
Kinloss 1 208.33x
Marnoch 1 68.97x
Monifieth 1 23.53x
North Leith 1 12.44x
Weston Super Mare 1 18.98x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
William 2
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Peter 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 Geddie households.

FAQ

Geddie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Geddie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 133 people were recorded with the Geddie surname. That placed it at #16,676 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Geddie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 79 in 2016. That gives Geddie a modern rank of #33,100.

What does the Geddie surname mean?

A Scottish surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a diminutive form of the name Geddes.

What does the Geddie map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Geddie 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.