NameCensus.

UK surname

Vaile

A surname likely derived from French, referring to a person from the region of Valais in Switzerland.

In the 1881 census there were 131 people recorded with the Vaile surname, ranking it #16,824 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 140, ranked #24,865, down from #16,824 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes and Gloucester City: St Owen (incl. jail in 1801 and 1811 and infirmary in 1801). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wakefield, Poole and Rushcliffe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vaile is 174 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.9%.

1881 census count

131

Ranked #16,824

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

1998

174 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vaile had 131 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,824 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 143 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Vaile surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vaile surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Vaile 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 110 #16,093
1861 historical 87 #22,681
1881 historical 131 #16,824
1891 historical 120 #21,292
1901 historical 131 #19,552
1911 historical 143 #18,401
1997 modern 160 #20,259
1998 modern 174 #19,729
1999 modern 169 #20,233
2000 modern 156 #21,235
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 151 #21,809
2003 modern 149 #21,766
2004 modern 146 #22,202
2005 modern 148 #21,961
2006 modern 136 #23,378
2007 modern 138 #23,478
2008 modern 136 #24,004
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 139 #24,688
2011 modern 140 #24,395
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 141 #24,670
2014 modern 141 #24,855
2015 modern 139 #24,956
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

Back to top

Where Vailes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes, Gloucester City: St Owen (incl. jail in 1801 and 1811 and infirmary in 1801), Bedwelty and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wakefield, Poole, Rushcliffe and Barnsley. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gloucester City: St Owen (incl. jail in 1801 and 1811 and infirmary in 1801) Gloucestershire
4 Bedwelty Monmouthshire
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wakefield 035 Wakefield
2 Poole 011 Poole
3 Rushcliffe 002 Rushcliffe
4 Barnsley 001 Barnsley
5 Barnsley 002 Barnsley

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Vaile

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Vaile

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Vaile surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Vaile household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Vaile is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Vaile is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vaile falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Vaile is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Vaile

The surname Vaile is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place called "Vale" or "Vail" located near the town of Winslow in Buckinghamshire. The name is thought to be a corruption of the Old English word "vall," meaning a valley or low-lying land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vaile can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Vail." This reference suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest. Over the centuries, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Vayle, Veile, Vaile, and Vail.

In the 13th century, records show a John de Vail residing in Oxfordshire, while a Walter de Vail was documented in Berkshire during the same period. These early mentions indicate that the Vaile family had spread across several counties in southern England.

Notable individuals bearing the Vaile surname include Sir William Vaile (1556-1625), a prominent merchant and philanthropist in London, and Thomas Vaile (1570-1634), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Oxford.

During the 17th century, the Vaile family extended its reach to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of John Vaile, who was born in England in 1612 and later settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in the 1630s.

Another notable figure was Sir Roger Vaile (1619-1695), a wealthy English landowner and member of Parliament who played a significant role in the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II.

In the 18th century, the Vaile surname gained prominence with individuals like Sir Thomas Vaile (1705-1783), a successful merchant and philanthropist in Bristol, England. He was instrumental in establishing several charitable organizations and educational institutions in the city.

As the centuries progressed, the Vaile family continued to contribute to various fields, including politics, business, and academia. Prominent individuals include William Vaile (1818-1892), a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, and Sir Samuel Vaile (1856-1932), an Australian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Australian Senate.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Vaile families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vaile 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. Gloucestershire leads with 48 Vailes recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.86x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 48 18.86x
Middlesex 34 2.62x
Surrey 14 2.21x
Essex 8 3.12x
Glamorgan 6 2.66x
Nottinghamshire 6 3.43x
Yorkshire 4 0.31x
Kent 3 0.68x
Berkshire 2 2.05x
Royal Navy 2 12.94x
Warwickshire 2 0.61x
Dorset 1 1.17x
Hampshire 1 0.38x
Lancashire 1 0.07x
Norfolk 1 0.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westbury On Severn in Gloucestershire leads with 17 Vailes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1683.17x.

Place Total Index
Westbury On Severn 17 1683.17x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 12 257.51x
Chigwell 7 289.26x
Hampstead London 7 34.64x
Islington London 7 5.57x
Roath 6 58.48x
Battersea 5 10.47x
St Marylebone London 5 7.22x
Sutton In Ashfield 5 131.93x
Camberwell 4 4.83x
Gloucester St Nicholas 4 338.98x
Hackney London 4 5.50x
Kensington London 4 5.55x
Lambeth 4 3.54x
Winksley 4 8000.00x
Westbury On Severn East 3 52.17x
Binfield 2 266.67x
Birmingham 2 1.83x
Gloucester St Aldate 2 645.16x
Gloucester St Mary Lode 2 333.33x
Gloucester St Michael 2 344.83x
Paddington London 2 4.19x
Ramsgate 2 27.66x
Royal Navy 2 15.13x
St George Hanover 2 11.81x
Aylsham 1 84.03x
Balderton 1 208.33x
Beckenham 1 17.27x
Charlton Kings 1 56.82x
Chelsea London 1 2.56x
Cheltenham 1 5.09x
Gloucester St Catherine 1 138.89x
Kemerton 1 454.55x
Liverpool 1 1.07x
Mile End Old Town 1 4.88x
Portsea 1 1.92x
Sherborne 1 39.84x
South Hamlet 1 63.69x
St Pancras London 1 0.96x
Wandsworth 1 8.01x
Wotton St Mary 1 75.76x
Writtle 1 95.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Edith 5
Elizabeth 4
Alice 3
Fanny 3
Ann 2
Emma 2
Frances 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Rosa 2
Rose 2
Sarah 2
Alberta 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Bella 1
Caroline 1
Dora 1
Eleanor 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizebth. 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Eveline 1
Fannie 1
Florence 1
Flory 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Helena 1
Hilda 1
Jaina 1
Kezia 1
Laura 1
Lillian 1
Modmary 1
Nellie 1
Priscilla 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Vaile surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vaile surname in 1881?

In 1881, 131 people were recorded with the Vaile surname. That placed it at #16,824 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vaile surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Vaile a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Vaile surname mean?

A surname likely derived from French, referring to a person from the region of Valais in Switzerland.

What does the Vaile map show?

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