NameCensus.

UK surname

Nesbeth

An English surname derived from a location name in Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Nesbeth surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 114, ranked #28,515, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Croydon and Lambeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nesbeth is 131 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11300.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

114

2016, ranked #28,515

Peak year

2010

131 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nesbeth had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016, ranked #28,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 20 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Nesbeth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nesbeth surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nesbeth 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
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 20 #32,579
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 76 #29,997
1998 modern 80 #29,966
1999 modern 83 #29,823
2000 modern 94 #28,573
2001 modern 85 #29,396
2002 modern 90 #29,314
2003 modern 89 #29,380
2004 modern 91 #29,345
2005 modern 93 #29,133
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 100 #28,669
2008 modern 108 #27,684
2009 modern 117 #26,927
2010 modern 131 #25,656
2011 modern 130 #25,547
2012 modern 111 #28,332
2013 modern 116 #27,992
2014 modern 114 #28,608
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 114 #28,515

Geography

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Where Nesbeths 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 Ealing, Croydon, Lambeth, Manchester and Wolverhampton. 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 Ealing 033 Ealing
2 Croydon 008 Croydon
3 Lambeth 011 Lambeth
4 Manchester 006 Manchester
5 Wolverhampton 017 Wolverhampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nesbeth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nesbeth

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Nesbeth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Nesbeth 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Nesbeth is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Nesbeth 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

Nesbeth falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nesbeth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Nesbeth

The surname Nesbeth has its origins in northern England, specifically in the region of Northumberland. It is believed to have emerged in the 13th century, derived from the Old English words "ness" meaning "headland" or "promontory," and "beth" meaning "dwelling" or "habitation." Thus, the name Nesbeth likely referred to someone who lived near a headland or promontory.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Northumberland from 1296, where a Robert de Nesbit is mentioned. This suggests that the name may have originally been spelled as "Nesbit" before evolving into its current form.

During the Middle Ages, the Nesbeth family was primarily concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly Northumberland and Durham. They were often associated with the borderlands between England and Scotland, and some family members may have been involved in the frequent skirmishes and conflicts that occurred in this region.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the Nesbeth surname was John Nesbeth, a scholar and clergyman who was born in Yorkshire around 1540. He served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Hartlepool and was known for his religious writings.

Another prominent individual was Sir Thomas Nesbeth, who lived during the 17th century and served as a member of parliament for Northumberland. He was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.

Moving into the 18th century, the Nesbeth family had spread to various parts of England, as well as Scotland and Ireland. One notable figure from this time was William Nesbeth, a renowned architect born in Edinburgh in 1719. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Old College of the University of Edinburgh.

In the 19th century, the name Nesbeth continued to be found across the British Isles, with some members of the family emigrating to other parts of the world, particularly North America and Australia. A notable figure from this period was James Nesbeth, a Scottish explorer and naturalist born in 1835. He embarked on several expeditions to remote regions of Africa and made significant contributions to the field of natural history.

Throughout its history, the surname Nesbeth has been associated with various professions and occupations, from clergy and scholars to architects, explorers, and politicians. While the name may have evolved slightly in its spelling over time, its roots can be traced back to the northern regions of England, where it originated as a descriptive name for those who lived near a headland or promontory.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nesbeth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nesbeth 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. Renfrewshire leads with 1 Nesbeths recorded in 1881 and an index of 133.33x.

County Total Index
Renfrewshire 1 133.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Abbey in Renfrewshire leads with 1 Nesbeths recorded in 1881 and an index of 909.09x.

Place Total Index
Abbey 1 909.09x

FAQ

Nesbeth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nesbeth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Nesbeth surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nesbeth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016. That gives Nesbeth a modern rank of #28,515.

What does the Nesbeth surname mean?

An English surname derived from a location name in Scotland.

What does the Nesbeth map show?

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