NameCensus.

UK surname

Tee

An English surname derived from a geographical location or topographical feature.

In the 1881 census there were 596 people recorded with the Tee surname, ranking it #5,868 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,080, ranked #5,407, up from #5,868 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge, Northampton and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tee is 1,089 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.2%.

1881 census count

596

Ranked #5,868

Modern count

1,080

2016, ranked #5,407

Peak year

2010

1,089 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tee had 596 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,868 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,080 in 2016, ranked #5,407.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 973 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tee surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tee surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tee 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 385 #6,225
1881 historical 596 #5,868
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 973 #4,859
1997 modern 996 #5,520
1998 modern 1,009 #5,637
1999 modern 1,043 #5,521
2000 modern 1,038 #5,512
2001 modern 1,024 #5,480
2002 modern 1,043 #5,494
2003 modern 1,003 #5,582
2004 modern 996 #5,619
2005 modern 1,002 #5,540
2006 modern 1,002 #5,559
2007 modern 991 #5,647
2008 modern 1,012 #5,598
2009 modern 1,040 #5,597
2010 modern 1,089 #5,485
2011 modern 1,038 #5,642
2012 modern 1,029 #5,601
2013 modern 1,053 #5,587
2014 modern 1,064 #5,573
2015 modern 1,069 #5,480
2016 modern 1,080 #5,407

Geography

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Where Tees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Hambledon. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge, Northampton, Peterborough and Waverley. 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 Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst Sussex
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Hambledon Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 004 Torridge
2 Northampton 029 Northampton
3 Peterborough 022 Peterborough
4 Peterborough 008 Peterborough
5 Waverley 007 Waverley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tee

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tee

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Tee surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Tee 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Tee is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tee 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

Tee falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Tee is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Tee

The surname Tee has its origins in the United Kingdom, specifically in England and Scotland. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "teg," which means a small enclosed field or pasture. This suggests that the name may have originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near or worked on such a field.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Tee can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Tege." This historical record provides evidence of the name's existence in England during the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the surname Tee appeared in various forms, such as "Tye," "Ty," and "Tey," reflecting the spelling variations common during that time. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

The name Tee has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was John Tee, a prominent English clergyman born in 1553, who served as the Bishop of Salisbury from 1620 until his death in 1626.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Thomas Tee, an English composer and organist who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He is known for his contributions to the music of the Anglican Church during the Elizabethan era.

In Scotland, the Tee surname has a strong connection to the town of Arbroath, where it is believed to have originated. One notable Scot with this surname was Alexander Tee, born in 1736, who was a renowned mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1783.

The name Tee has also been associated with various place names, such as Tye Green in Essex, England, and Tees Valley in northern England. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Another historical figure bearing the surname Tee was William Tee, born in 1670, who was a prominent English architect and surveyor. He played a significant role in the rebuilding efforts following the Great Fire of London in 1666, contributing to the design and construction of several notable buildings in the city.

While the surname Tee may not be among the most common surnames today, it has a rich history and strong roots in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland. The name's origins as a descriptive term for a small field or pasture reflect the agricultural heritage of the regions where it originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tee families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tee 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. Hampshire leads with 169 Tees recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.35x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 169 14.35x
Surrey 71 2.54x
Northamptonshire 67 12.40x
Sussex 53 5.47x
Middlesex 51 0.89x
Yorkshire 36 0.63x
Lancashire 33 0.48x
Gloucestershire 21 1.86x
Leicestershire 20 3.14x
Lincolnshire 15 1.63x
Kent 13 0.66x
Cheshire 7 0.55x
Somerset 7 0.76x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.77x
Derbyshire 3 0.33x
Durham 3 0.18x
Huntingdonshire 3 2.63x
Stirlingshire 3 1.42x
Warwickshire 2 0.14x
Essex 1 0.09x
Hertfordshire 1 0.25x
Renfrewshire 1 0.22x
Royal Navy 1 1.46x
Rutland 1 2.37x
Staffordshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 42 Tees recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.20x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 42 18.20x
Hambledon 36 906.80x
Broadwater 20 90.01x
Fareham 18 127.21x
Camberwell 16 4.36x
Peterborough 14 35.78x
Brighton 13 6.65x
Southwark St George Martyr 13 11.24x
Battersea 11 5.20x
Cottesbrooke 10 2380.95x
Portchester 10 657.89x
Sherborne 10 884.96x
Whippingham 10 112.11x
Clerkenwell London 9 6.64x
Lambeth 8 1.60x
Leicester St Mary 8 15.54x
Oving 8 244.65x
Pinchbeck 8 135.82x
Rotherham 8 24.92x
Shangton 8 5333.33x
Standground 8 308.88x
Catherington 7 269.23x
Clevedon 7 72.77x
Lewisham 7 6.70x
Over Darwen 7 12.85x
Scunthorpe 7 169.49x
St Marylebone London 7 2.28x
Whalley 7 70.42x
Acton 6 17.81x
Cransley 6 937.50x
Croydon 6 3.86x
Horsell 6 338.98x
Horsham 6 31.88x
Mansfield 6 22.39x
Southwick 6 458.02x
Stockport 6 9.19x
Stratton 6 441.18x
Deptford St Paul 5 3.31x
Hemington 5 1612.90x
Martyr Worthy 5 1020.41x
Northington 5 793.65x
Otterbourne 5 297.62x
Sharples 5 67.66x
Wimbledon 5 15.91x
Brightside Bierlow 4 3.58x
Farnworth 4 9.79x
Fulham London 4 4.80x
Great Little Preston 4 245.40x
Great Weldon 4 677.97x
Leicester St Margaret 4 2.57x
Northampton St Sepulchre 4 14.55x
Oldham 4 1.82x
Soberton 4 184.33x
South Kirkby 4 320.00x
Tottenham 4 4.37x
Alton 3 33.78x
Blisworth 3 144.23x
Bow London 3 4.10x
Courteenhall 3 857.14x
Darfield 3 57.92x
Enfield 3 7.96x
Fletton 3 82.19x
Hardingstone 3 58.14x
Havant 3 50.34x
Hunslet 3 3.38x
Kilsyth 3 22.21x
Kimblesworth 3 131.00x
Manchester 3 0.98x
Stoke 3 22.71x
Warblington 3 64.24x
Alverstoke 2 4.69x
Arundel 2 36.90x
Cheltenham 2 2.30x
Derby St Werburgh 2 3.85x
Little Weldon 2 224.72x
Millbrook 2 6.74x
Normanby In 2 13.14x
Northampton St Giles 2 9.71x
Southampton St Michael 2 51.55x
Westminster St James 2 3.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 33
John 27
Thomas 23
James 20
Charles 19
George 19
Arthur 17
Henry 17
Frank 10
Harry 10
Frederick 9
Alfred 7
Joseph 6
Albert 5
Edward 5
Walter 5
Fred 4
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Daniel 2
Edgar 2
Ernest 2
Herbert 2
Leonard 2
Wm. 2
Abel 1
Archibald 1
Bertie 1
Chas.F. 1
Chester 1
Edmund 1
Edw.H. 1
Ezra 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Horace 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Levi 1
Paris 1
Peter 1
Reginald 1
Reuben 1
Robert 1
T. 1
Tho.B. 1
W. 1

FAQ

Tee surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tee surname in 1881?

In 1881, 596 people were recorded with the Tee surname. That placed it at #5,868 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tee surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,080 in 2016. That gives Tee a modern rank of #5,407.

What does the Tee surname mean?

An English surname derived from a geographical location or topographical feature.

What does the Tee map show?

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