NameCensus.

UK surname

Varty

A variant spelling of the English locational surname derived from Wartnaby, Leicestershire.

In the 1881 census there were 431 people recorded with the Varty surname, ranking it #7,555 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 724, ranked #7,505, up from #7,555 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Allendale, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale, Eden and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Varty is 794 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.0%.

1881 census count

431

Ranked #7,555

Modern count

724

2016, ranked #7,505

Peak year

1999

794 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Varty had 431 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,555 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 724 in 2016, ranked #7,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 733 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Varty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Varty surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Varty 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 402 #6,020
1861 historical 340 #7,497
1881 historical 431 #7,555
1891 historical 501 #7,418
1901 historical 643 #6,698
1911 historical 733 #5,853
1997 modern 758 #6,824
1998 modern 792 #6,807
1999 modern 794 #6,844
2000 modern 780 #6,913
2001 modern 737 #7,078
2002 modern 781 #6,910
2003 modern 755 #6,982
2004 modern 729 #7,166
2005 modern 718 #7,177
2006 modern 715 #7,236
2007 modern 715 #7,308
2008 modern 711 #7,390
2009 modern 737 #7,351
2010 modern 750 #7,377
2011 modern 746 #7,340
2012 modern 719 #7,460
2013 modern 738 #7,438
2014 modern 745 #7,420
2015 modern 736 #7,429
2016 modern 724 #7,505

Geography

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Where Vartys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Allendale, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Penrith and Alston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale, Eden and Gateshead. 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 Allendale Northumberland
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Penrith Cumberland
5 Alston Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 005 Allerdale
2 Allerdale 006 Allerdale
3 Allerdale 004 Allerdale
4 Eden 003 Eden
5 Gateshead 019 Gateshead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Varty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Varty

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Varty 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

Varty is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Varty

The surname Varty is of English origin and dates back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "wart," which referred to a small hill or mound. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name lived near such a geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Varty can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1592, where a Thomas Varty is mentioned. This document provides valuable insight into the name's historical roots and its presence in the region during the late Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, the name Varty appeared in various parish records across England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. This widespread distribution indicates that the name had become well-established across several regions by this time.

The Varty surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Varty (1617-1689), a prominent English lawyer and Member of Parliament who represented the borough of Malmesbury in the late 17th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was William Varty (1786-1856), a renowned English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in the early 19th century. His most notable work was the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Halstead, Essex, completed in 1824.

In the field of literature, the name Varty is associated with the English poet and writer, Elizabeth Varty (1803-1874). Her collection of poems, titled "Musings of a Village Maid," published in 1842, received critical acclaim and provided a glimpse into the rural life of 19th century England.

During the late 19th century, the Varty surname gained further recognition with the exploits of Charles Varty (1855-1928), a British explorer and adventurer. He is best known for his expeditions to the Arctic regions, where he documented the lives of indigenous communities and contributed valuable insights to the field of anthropology.

Lastly, the name Varty has been associated with the literary works of Jane Varty (1921-2003), a renowned English novelist and playwright. Her most celebrated work, "The Green Fields of England," published in 1967, explored the themes of rural life and the changing landscape of post-war Britain.

While the surname Varty may not be among the most common in the English-speaking world, its rich history and the contributions of its bearers have left an indelible mark across various fields, from law and architecture to literature and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Varty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Varty 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. Cumberland leads with 141 Vartys recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.95x.

County Total Index
Cumberland 141 38.95x
Northumberland 99 15.83x
Durham 58 4.64x
Lancashire 41 0.82x
Westmorland 20 21.65x
Cheshire 18 1.94x
Yorkshire 16 0.38x
Dumfriesshire 9 9.69x
Middlesex 9 0.21x
Cambridgeshire 7 2.63x
Somerset 3 0.44x
Staffordshire 3 0.21x
Surrey 3 0.15x
Lincolnshire 2 0.30x
Fife 1 0.40x
Gloucestershire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Penrith in Cumberland leads with 29 Vartys recorded in 1881 and an index of 216.90x.

Place Total Index
Penrith 29 216.90x
Allendale 22 379.31x
Alston 21 314.84x
Elswick 20 40.06x
Flimby 19 620.92x
Gateshead 15 16.02x
Liscard 15 89.71x
Ousby 12 3428.57x
Westgate 11 28.39x
Aspatria 10 287.36x
Heworth 10 40.57x
Normanby In 10 89.77x
Cramlington 9 108.83x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 9 16.61x
Hesket In Forest 9 319.15x
Langholm 9 134.93x
Wigan 9 12.91x
Bassingbourn 7 179.03x
Benwell 7 102.34x
Ellenborough Ewanrigg 7 278.88x
Plumpton Wall 7 1400.00x
Barrow In Furness 6 8.84x
Gorton 6 12.79x
Hunsonby Winskill 6 1463.41x
Kyo 6 101.87x
Nether Staveley 6 1276.60x
Thornbrough 6 5454.55x
Wylam 6 434.78x
Haydon 5 146.20x
Kirkby Stephen 5 208.33x
Manchester 5 2.23x
Newbottle 5 73.21x
North Meols 5 10.24x
Prudhoe Castle 5 409.84x
Hackney London 4 1.70x
Stanhope 4 30.98x
Westoe 4 5.64x
Brandon Byshottles 3 19.14x
Bushbury 3 117.65x
Castleton 3 6.02x
Everton 3 1.89x
Holy Trinity 3 2.99x
Kirkland 3 152.28x
Lambeth 3 0.82x
Lambley 3 291.26x
Shepton Mallet 3 39.53x
Ainstable 2 307.69x
Arlecdon 2 20.77x
Bromley London 2 2.16x
Cockermouth 2 26.25x
Cumwhitton 2 277.78x
Great Grimsby 2 4.69x
Halifax 2 3.27x
Islington London 2 0.49x
Liverpool 2 0.66x
Prudhoe 2 45.98x
Wetheral 2 41.75x
Applethwaite 1 36.23x
Askham 1 135.14x
Birkenhead 1 1.35x
Chopwell 1 43.10x
Christ Church Newgate 1 51.02x
Colton 1 38.46x
Crook 1 250.00x
English Bicknor 1 109.89x
Featherstone 1 200.00x
Holme Abbey 1 74.07x
Hunslet 1 1.54x
Kirkoswald 1 117.65x
Knaresdale 1 133.33x
Long Marton 1 97.09x
Lower Bebington 1 18.15x
Oughterside Allerby 1 138.89x
Patterdale 1 98.04x
St Andrews 1 8.83x
St Cuthbert W O Carleton 1 100.00x
St Cuthbert Within 1 23.87x
St Mary Within 1 22.12x
Westward 1 66.23x
Wigton 1 18.42x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 32
Elizabeth 19
Jane 18
Margaret 14
Sarah 14
Ann 11
Ellen 9
Annie 6
Hannah 6
Alice 5
Frances 5
Isabella 4
Anne 3
Eliza 3
Rebecca 3
Ada 2
Barbara 2
Dorothy 2
Elizth 2
Elizth. 2
Francis 2
Harriet 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Maggie 2
Maria 2
Beatrice 1
Betsey 1
Bridget 1
Cecelia 1
Christina 1
Claud 1
Deborah 1
E. 1
Eleanor 1
Ella 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Helen 1
Hester 1
Janet 1
Laura 1
Lottie 1
Margth. 1
Maud 1
May 1
Nellie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 41
William 25
Joseph 22
Thomas 17
Isaac 13
James 9
Robert 8
George 7
Henry 6
Matthew 5
Charles 3
Mathew 3
Thos. 3
Wm. 3
Armstrong 2
Calvert 2
Carleton 2
Christopher 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Featherstone 2
Hugh 2
Jonathan 2
Richard 2
Bartholomew 1
Bedo 1
Benjamin 1
Cuthbert 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Harry 1
Henderson 1
Hodgson 1
J.J. 1
Joe 1
Joshua 1
Maria 1
Mary 1
Michael 1
Moses 1
Nathan 1
Tho. 1
Tingate 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Wesley 1
Wm.R. 1

FAQ

Varty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Varty surname in 1881?

In 1881, 431 people were recorded with the Varty surname. That placed it at #7,555 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Varty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 724 in 2016. That gives Varty a modern rank of #7,505.

What does the Varty surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English locational surname derived from Wartnaby, Leicestershire.

What does the Varty map show?

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