NameCensus.

UK surname

Vardy

An occupational surname derived from the Old French word "vard" meaning watchman or guard.

In the 1881 census there were 601 people recorded with the Vardy surname, ranking it #5,826 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,353, ranked #4,454, up from #5,826 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Normanton, South, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood and Alfreton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Amber Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vardy is 1,380 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 125.1%.

1881 census count

601

Ranked #5,826

Modern count

1,353

2016, ranked #4,454

Peak year

2002

1,380 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vardy had 601 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,826 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,353 in 2016, ranked #4,454.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 983 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Vardy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vardy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vardy 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 349 #6,747
1861 historical 356 #7,171
1881 historical 601 #5,826
1891 historical 681 #5,745
1901 historical 875 #5,242
1911 historical 983 #4,608
1997 modern 1,290 #4,419
1998 modern 1,353 #4,399
1999 modern 1,359 #4,421
2000 modern 1,332 #4,470
2001 modern 1,343 #4,357
2002 modern 1,380 #4,342
2003 modern 1,336 #4,381
2004 modern 1,306 #4,463
2005 modern 1,301 #4,423
2006 modern 1,290 #4,475
2007 modern 1,312 #4,449
2008 modern 1,299 #4,513
2009 modern 1,338 #4,495
2010 modern 1,365 #4,501
2011 modern 1,366 #4,441
2012 modern 1,320 #4,508
2013 modern 1,355 #4,484
2014 modern 1,372 #4,468
2015 modern 1,355 #4,468
2016 modern 1,353 #4,454

Geography

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Where Vardys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Normanton, South, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood, Alfreton, Sheffield and North Wingfield (Woodthorpe, North Wingfield), Morton (Morton). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Amber Valley. 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 Normanton, South Nottinghamshire
2 Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood Nottinghamshire
3 Alfreton Derbyshire
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 North Wingfield (Woodthorpe, North Wingfield), Morton (Morton) Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 008 Bolsover
2 North East Derbyshire 011 North East Derbyshire
3 Bolsover 009 Bolsover
4 Amber Valley 004 Amber Valley
5 Bolsover 003 Bolsover

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vardy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vardy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Vardy, 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 Vardy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Vardy 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Vardy is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vardy is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vardy falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Vardy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Vardy

The surname Vardy is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a variant of the Old English word "ward," which referred to a guard or watchman. This name may have been given to someone who held such a position or lived near a watchtower or fortification.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vardy can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Wardei," likely referring to a person or place associated with a guard or watchman.

In the 13th century, records show the spelling "Wardy" being used in various regions of England, including Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Over time, the name evolved into its current form, Vardy, with variations such as Vardey and Vardye appearing in historical documents.

The surname Vardy has also been linked to certain place names in England, such as Wardy Clough in Lancashire and Wardy Hill in Derbyshire. These locations may have influenced the surname's development or provided a geographic connection for those bearing the name.

Notable individuals with the surname Vardy throughout history include:

1. Sir John Vardy (c. 1480 - 1545), an English merchant and Member of Parliament during the reign of King Henry VIII. 2. Thomas Vardy (1617 - 1683), an English clergyman and author known for his religious writings. 3. William Vardy (1786 - 1856), a British engineer and inventor credited with developing early steam engines and boilers. 4. Jessie Vardy (1857 - 1932), a British suffragette and women's rights activist who campaigned for women's suffrage in the early 20th century. 5. John Vardy (1910 - 1991), a British artist and printmaker known for his etchings and engravings depicting rural life in Yorkshire.

While the surname Vardy has its roots in medieval England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, carried by descendants of English immigrants.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vardy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vardy 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. Derbyshire leads with 195 Vardys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.21x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 195 21.21x
Nottinghamshire 99 12.51x
Northumberland 74 8.47x
Yorkshire 42 0.72x
Durham 39 2.23x
Hampshire 38 3.16x
Surrey 23 0.80x
Middlesex 22 0.37x
Dorset 18 4.67x
Lancashire 12 0.17x
Warwickshire 9 0.61x
Somerset 7 0.74x
Glamorgan 5 0.49x
Buckinghamshire 4 1.13x
Leicestershire 3 0.46x
Essex 2 0.17x
Gloucestershire 2 0.17x
Staffordshire 2 0.10x
Cheshire 1 0.08x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.86x
Kent 1 0.05x
Midlothian 1 0.13x
Wiltshire 1 0.19x
Worcestershire 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. Hucknall Under in Nottinghamshire leads with 32 Vardys recorded in 1881 and an index of 784.31x.

Place Total Index
Hucknall Under 32 784.31x
South Normanton 32 495.36x
Staveley 32 196.08x
Shirland 27 392.44x
Ecclesall Bierlow 22 18.59x
Sutton In Ashfield 19 110.59x
Claylane 17 133.02x
Gateshead 17 13.00x
Chirton 16 80.93x
Elswick 15 21.51x
Blackwell 14 309.73x
Hasland 14 149.57x
Alfreton 13 46.54x
Beaulieu 10 534.76x
Bulwell 10 58.11x
Croydon 10 6.30x
Worksop 10 42.61x
Ryde 9 34.80x
Chesterfield 8 23.21x
Newbiggin In Morpeth 8 286.74x
Usworth 8 86.21x
Basford 7 19.19x
Batcombe 7 2692.31x
Misterton 7 522.39x
Sheffield 7 3.78x
Christchurch 6 22.99x
Newstead 6 309.28x
Southworth With Croft 6 288.46x
Yetminster 6 419.58x
Bedlington 5 17.14x
Bigges Quarter 5 961.54x
Earsdon 5 70.32x
Eckington 5 22.39x
Handsworth 5 32.51x
North Seaton 5 136.61x
Whittington 5 39.31x
Ystradyfodwg 5 5.57x
Barlborough 4 117.65x
Clapham 4 5.45x
Cowpen 4 19.88x
Darley 4 107.82x
East Murton 4 122.32x
Edgbaston 4 8.71x
Hornsey 4 5.39x
Islington London 4 0.70x
Mansfield Woodhouse 4 75.90x
Marston Upon Dove 4 135.59x
Newcastle On Tyne St 4 8.83x
Richmond 4 9.98x
Rotherham 4 12.20x
Tudhoe 4 26.18x
Westminster St 4 18.48x
Wilne 4 190.48x
Birmingham 3 0.61x
Boldre 3 69.61x
Egham 3 17.07x
Holdenhurst 3 9.50x
Leicester St Margaret 3 1.89x
Lillington 3 1071.43x
Nottingham St Mary 3 1.47x
Nottingham St Nicholas 3 27.83x
Portsea 3 1.27x
Upton Cum Chalvey 3 21.20x
Aston 2 0.49x
Brimington 2 28.65x
Cannock 2 5.78x
Chetnole 2 408.16x
Cramlington 2 17.32x
Elvet 2 15.86x
Horton 2 46.30x
Hucknall Torkard 2 9.97x
Kyo 2 24.33x
Mansfield 2 7.30x
Newbold Dunston 2 22.88x
Pilsley In Chesterfield 2 181.82x
Southampton St Mary 2 2.64x
St Andrew Holborn 2 10.05x
St Giles In Fields 2 9.88x
St Pancras London 2 0.42x
Westgate 2 3.70x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 40
Sarah 30
Elizabeth 26
Ann 15
Eliza 12
Ellen 12
Jane 12
Hannah 11
Annie 8
Emma 7
Harriet 7
Alice 6
Ada 4
Florence 4
Margaret 4
Martha 4
Rebecca 4
Clara 3
Elizth. 3
Fanny 3
Louisa 3
Agnes 2
Anna 2
Bessie 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Dorothy 2
Esther 2
Francis 2
Grace 2
Isabel 2
Isabella 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Norah 2
Susan 2
Annah 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliz. 1
Elizabeth. 1
Elizea 1
Gertrude 1
Harriott 1
Hester 1
Infant 1
Winefred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 41
William 34
George 26
James 17
Joseph 14
Thomas 11
Henry 10
Arthur 8
Charles 8
Robert 7
Samuel 6
Edward 5
Frederick 5
Herbert 5
Walter 5
Mark 4
Thos. 4
Abraham 3
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Jesse 3
Luke 3
Philip 3
Stephen 3
Andrew 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Hermon 2
Joshua 2
Percy 2
Samson 2
Wm. 2
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Douglas 1
Earnest 1
Elijah 1
Elizabeth 1
Ferdinand 1
Fred 1
Jas. 1
Jassie 1
Jno. 1
Jonathan 1
Jos. 1
Young 1

FAQ

Vardy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vardy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 601 people were recorded with the Vardy surname. That placed it at #5,826 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vardy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,353 in 2016. That gives Vardy a modern rank of #4,454.

What does the Vardy surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Old French word "vard" meaning watchman or guard.

What does the Vardy map show?

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