NameCensus.

UK surname

Vanstone

A topographic surname indicating someone residing near a prominent stone or rocks.

In the 1881 census there were 862 people recorded with the Vanstone surname, ranking it #4,387 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,177, ranked #5,049, down from #4,387 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Hatherleigh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vanstone is 1,269 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.5%.

1881 census count

862

Ranked #4,387

Modern count

1,177

2016, ranked #5,049

Peak year

2002

1,269 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vanstone had 862 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,387 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,177 in 2016, ranked #5,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,268 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Vanstone surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vanstone surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vanstone 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 637 #4,076
1861 historical 466 #5,573
1881 historical 862 #4,387
1891 historical 1,003 #4,135
1901 historical 1,107 #4,362
1911 historical 1,268 #3,746
1997 modern 1,185 #4,759
1998 modern 1,251 #4,715
1999 modern 1,264 #4,715
2000 modern 1,243 #4,763
2001 modern 1,240 #4,671
2002 modern 1,269 #4,679
2003 modern 1,241 #4,669
2004 modern 1,225 #4,723
2005 modern 1,194 #4,776
2006 modern 1,197 #4,783
2007 modern 1,191 #4,839
2008 modern 1,187 #4,879
2009 modern 1,213 #4,896
2010 modern 1,242 #4,901
2011 modern 1,212 #4,928
2012 modern 1,161 #5,045
2013 modern 1,186 #5,043
2014 modern 1,198 #5,027
2015 modern 1,183 #5,033
2016 modern 1,177 #5,049

Geography

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Where Vanstones are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Hatherleigh and Hartland. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge and Cornwall. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 London parishes London 3
3 Hatherleigh Devon
4 Hartland Devon
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 008 Torridge
2 Torridge 005 Torridge
3 Cornwall 002 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 001 Cornwall
5 Torridge 004 Torridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vanstone

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vanstone

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Vanstone, 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 Vanstone surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Vanstone 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Vanstone is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vanstone is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vanstone 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 Vanstone 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 Vanstone, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Vanstone

The surname Vanstone is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English words "fenn" meaning marshy ground, and "tun" meaning an enclosure or settlement. It is believed to have originated in the area of Somerset, England during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195, where it appears as "de Fenneton". This suggests that the name was initially a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near a marshland or fen.

Another early reference to the name is found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1285, where it is spelled "Fenyston". This variation likely arose due to the interchangeability of the letters "v" and "f" in early English orthography.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "de Veneston" and "de Feniton", reflecting the regional dialects and scribal variations common in that era.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was John de Fenyton, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327.

During the 16th century, the spelling gradually evolved to the modern form of "Vanstone". A notable bearer of the name from this period was William Vanstone (c. 1520-1585), a merchant and alderman of the City of London.

In the 17th century, the Vanstone family was well-established in the county of Somerset, with several members holding positions of prominence. Thomas Vanstone (1605-1675) was a respected clergyman and rector of the parish of Compton Dundon.

Another notable figure was Sir John Vanstone (1638-1720), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for the borough of Taunton.

In the 18th century, the Vanstone family continued to thrive, with several members achieving distinction in various fields. One such individual was Captain James Vanstone (1725-1798), a naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War.

The 19th century saw the Vanstone name spread throughout the British Isles and beyond, as many members of the family emigrated to various parts of the British Empire. One notable example is Sir William Vanstone (1829-1901), a successful businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Melbourne, Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vanstone families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vanstone 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. Devon leads with 600 Vanstones recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.36x.

County Total Index
Devon 600 34.36x
Cornwall 63 6.63x
Glamorgan 43 2.94x
Middlesex 39 0.46x
Gloucestershire 22 1.34x
Surrey 18 0.44x
Lancashire 15 0.15x
Warwickshire 13 0.61x
Somerset 9 0.67x
Herefordshire 8 2.33x
Norfolk 8 0.62x
Kent 5 0.17x
Yorkshire 5 0.06x
Durham 3 0.12x
Royal Navy 3 3.00x
Berkshire 2 0.32x
Cheshire 1 0.05x
Derbyshire 1 0.08x
Essex 1 0.06x
Wiltshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tormoham in Devon leads with 44 Vanstones recorded in 1881 and an index of 59.55x.

Place Total Index
Tormoham 44 59.55x
Hartland 40 735.29x
Stoke Damerel 29 23.73x
Okehampton 27 410.33x
Barnstaple 21 76.61x
Plymouth St Andrew 21 15.61x
Black Torrington 20 793.65x
Hatherleigh 20 460.83x
Shebbear 20 763.36x
Crediton 17 102.72x
Wolborough 17 77.03x
Inwardleigh 15 1013.51x
Morwenstow 14 600.86x
Exeter St Thomas The 13 73.03x
Islington London 13 1.60x
Langtree 13 616.11x
Monk Okehampton 13 2096.77x
Plymouth Charles The 13 16.90x
East Putford 12 2666.67x
Broadwood Kelly 11 1309.52x
Clovelly 11 482.46x
Swansea Town 11 9.19x
Jacobstowe 10 1538.46x
Kilkhampton 10 357.14x
Painswick 10 85.91x
Sutcombe 10 840.34x
Tamerton Foliott 10 297.62x
Meavy 9 1097.56x
South Molton 9 93.85x
Heigham 8 11.56x
Hereford St Owen 8 70.42x
Lambeth 8 1.09x
Newington 8 2.58x
Aston 7 1.20x
Exeter St David 7 46.92x
Exeter St Mary Major 7 66.48x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 17.50x
Great Bolton 7 5.31x
Newton St Cyres 7 285.71x
North Petherwyn 7 283.40x
Northam 7 54.99x
Oystermouth 7 61.95x
Parkham 7 304.35x
South Petherwin 7 295.36x
St Mary Magdalene 7 100.29x
West Putford 7 1044.78x
Bath St James 6 42.58x
Bideford 6 32.07x
Birmingham 6 0.85x
Bishops Tawton 6 110.09x
Bradworthy 6 235.29x
Calstock 6 32.21x
Cardiff St Andrews 6 361.45x
Dursley 6 88.63x
Llantwit Lower 6 46.73x
Rame 6 244.90x
St Germans 6 90.63x
St Luke London 6 4.46x
Hunslet 5 3.86x
Lamerton 5 150.60x
Llanwonno 5 9.53x
North Tawton 5 93.28x
St Pancras London 5 0.74x
Stoke Canon 5 409.84x
Thornbury 5 555.56x
West Derby 5 1.72x
Exeter St Paul 4 115.61x
Halwell 4 209.42x
Highweek 4 64.21x
Margam 4 24.55x
Sampford Courtenay 4 153.26x
Upton Pyne 4 341.88x
Yealmpton 4 149.25x
Ermington 3 47.24x
Instow 3 159.57x
Kingsteignton 3 61.73x
Merton 3 179.64x
Paignton 3 22.57x
Royal Navy 3 3.51x
St John Near Swansea 3 16.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 65
John 58
James 42
Richard 27
Thomas 22
Samuel 21
Charles 18
Henry 17
George 13
Francis 9
Frederick 9
Stephen 9
Alfred 8
Joseph 8
Robert 8
Walter 8
Isaac 6
Benjamin 5
Albert 4
Arthur 4
Christopher 3
Ernest 3
Fredrick 3
Herbert 3
Tristram 3
Andrew 2
Daniel 2
Edward 2
Sidney 2
Arscott 1
Benjeman 1
Bertie 1
Bertram 1
Edmund 1
Edwed 1
Edwin 1
Evan 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.J. 1
Hubert 1
Jim 1
Joshua 1
Leslie 1
Lommi 1
Martin 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Rose 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Vanstone surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vanstone surname in 1881?

In 1881, 862 people were recorded with the Vanstone surname. That placed it at #4,387 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vanstone surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,177 in 2016. That gives Vanstone a modern rank of #5,049.

What does the Vanstone surname mean?

A topographic surname indicating someone residing near a prominent stone or rocks.

What does the Vanstone map show?

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