NameCensus.

UK surname

Vasey

A locative surname from any of several places in England named Vassy or Vasey.

In the 1881 census there were 1,064 people recorded with the Vasey surname, ranking it #3,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,703, ranked #3,666, up from #3,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hartlepool, Scarborough and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vasey is 1,813 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.1%.

1881 census count

1,064

Ranked #3,711

Modern count

1,703

2016, ranked #3,666

Peak year

1999

1,813 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vasey had 1,064 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,703 in 2016, ranked #3,666.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,584 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Vasey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vasey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vasey 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 656 #3,955
1861 historical 504 #5,194
1881 historical 1,064 #3,711
1891 historical 1,148 #3,714
1901 historical 1,495 #3,429
1911 historical 1,584 #3,068
1997 modern 1,685 #3,538
1998 modern 1,800 #3,445
1999 modern 1,813 #3,450
2000 modern 1,810 #3,441
2001 modern 1,788 #3,411
2002 modern 1,791 #3,476
2003 modern 1,715 #3,554
2004 modern 1,753 #3,479
2005 modern 1,722 #3,500
2006 modern 1,713 #3,519
2007 modern 1,707 #3,561
2008 modern 1,723 #3,557
2009 modern 1,751 #3,582
2010 modern 1,768 #3,615
2011 modern 1,784 #3,560
2012 modern 1,722 #3,607
2013 modern 1,742 #3,625
2014 modern 1,731 #3,669
2015 modern 1,727 #3,635
2016 modern 1,703 #3,666

Geography

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Where Vaseys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Stranton and Scarborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hartlepool, Scarborough and County Durham. 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 Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas Berkshire
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Stranton Durham
5 Scarborough Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hartlepool 012 Hartlepool
2 Scarborough 005 Scarborough
3 County Durham 059 County Durham
4 County Durham 045 County Durham
5 County Durham 055 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vasey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vasey

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Vasey is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vasey is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Vasey

The surname Vasey is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "vachi," which means "cow pasture" or "cattle farm." It is believed to have originated in the 12th or 13th century, during the Norman conquest of England.

The name is thought to have been initially used as a descriptive surname, referring to individuals who lived near or owned a cow pasture or cattle farm. It may also have been an occupational surname for those who worked on such farms or tended to cattle.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vasey can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it is spelled "Vachery." This document lists individuals and their landholdings, suggesting that the Vasey family may have been landowners or associated with the agricultural industry at that time.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "Vachery," "Vacherie," and "Vacheri," reflecting the evolving spelling and pronunciation of the name over time. It is also recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, suggesting the name's presence in different regions of England.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Vasey gained more prominence, with several notable individuals bearing the surname. One such person was William Vasey (c. 1554-1618), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of St. Michael's Church in Coventry.

Another notable figure was Richard Vasey (1598-1675), an English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in London. He played a role in the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in America.

In the 18th century, the name Vasey was associated with various place names in England, such as Vasey Close in Nottinghamshire and Vasey Hill in Derbyshire, further solidifying its connection to the landscape and rural areas.

One prominent individual from this period was John Vasey (1718-1797), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Duty and Happiness of the Christian Religion."

In the 19th century, the Vasey name continued to be present in various parts of England, with individuals like George Vasey (1822-1892), a British botanist and explorer who made significant contributions to the study of Australian flora.

While the surname Vasey has its roots in England and is predominantly found there, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, its historical origins and associations remain firmly rooted in the English countryside and agricultural traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vasey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vasey 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. Durham leads with 386 Vaseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.47x.

County Total Index
Durham 386 12.47x
Yorkshire 330 3.20x
Lancashire 56 0.45x
Northumberland 44 2.84x
Middlesex 37 0.36x
Lincolnshire 33 1.98x
Staffordshire 25 0.71x
Berkshire 24 3.07x
Surrey 23 0.45x
Nottinghamshire 16 1.14x
Kent 15 0.42x
Essex 13 0.63x
Buckinghamshire 11 1.75x
Hampshire 11 0.52x
Lanarkshire 11 0.33x
Cheshire 8 0.35x
Midlothian 5 0.36x
Warwickshire 5 0.19x
Royal Navy 3 2.42x
Renfrewshire 2 0.25x
Worcestershire 2 0.15x
Bedfordshire 1 0.19x
Cardiganshire 1 0.39x
Glamorgan 1 0.06x
Monmouthshire 1 0.13x
Shropshire 1 0.11x
Somerset 1 0.06x
Sussex 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gateshead in Durham leads with 50 Vaseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.57x.

Place Total Index
Gateshead 50 21.57x
Scarborough 50 53.35x
Ebberston 27 1279.62x
Bishopwearmouth 23 8.65x
Hart 23 305.04x
Whitby 23 66.17x
Elvet 22 98.43x
Shildon 21 84.41x
Leeds 20 3.43x
Abingdon St Helen 19 83.19x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 18 88.41x
Batley 15 15.30x
Falsgrave 14 92.11x
Crook Billy Row 13 32.79x
St Giles 13 67.25x
Wolsingham 13 46.07x
Ecclesall Bierlow 12 5.72x
Fxhls Bythrp Btrwch 12 794.70x
Glentworth 12 916.03x
Darlington 11 9.20x
Helmington Row 11 76.28x
Islington London 11 1.09x
Lambeth 11 1.21x
Westoe 11 6.27x
Allerston 10 632.91x
Cornsay 10 119.90x
Thornton Steward 10 1123.60x
West Derby 10 2.77x
Cocken 9 466.32x
Croydon 9 3.20x
Edlesborough 9 157.07x
Greenwich 9 5.43x
Northallerton 9 68.39x
Plawsworth 9 267.86x
Stranton 9 8.63x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 8 22.68x
Brompton In Scarborough 8 326.53x
Leyton 8 22.61x
Monkwearmouth Shore 8 13.24x
Stoke Upon Trent 8 2.15x
Walsall Borough 8 29.34x
Bradbury 7 1014.49x
Durham St Nicholas 7 91.98x
Esh 7 31.07x
Newark Upon Trent 7 13.88x
Sherburn 7 74.31x
Bedale 6 159.57x
Brandon Byshottles 6 15.47x
Chorley 6 8.66x
Cornforth 6 65.79x
Framwellgate 6 32.72x
Glasgow 6 1.00x
Hackthorn 6 606.06x
Hampstead London 6 3.70x
Headingley Cum Burley 6 9.04x
Luttons Ambo 6 280.37x
Metheringham 6 90.23x
Portsea 6 1.44x
Sale 6 21.28x
Shoreditch London 6 1.33x
Toxteth Park 6 1.43x
Tudhoe 6 22.15x
Walton On Hill 6 8.97x
Wortley In Bramley 6 7.34x
Abingdon St Nicholas 5 230.41x
Barony 5 0.59x
Bishop Monkton 5 290.70x
Bromley London 5 2.18x
Chilton 5 51.71x
Conside Knitsley 5 20.76x
Elswick 5 4.05x
Evenwood Barony 5 47.48x
Great Lumley 5 94.34x
Huddersfield 5 3.33x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 5 5.41x
Ruswarp Hawsker Cum 5 196.08x
Tanfield 5 13.58x
West Ham 5 1.10x
Wilton In Guisbrough 5 108.46x
Warblington 4 47.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 72
Elizabeth 56
Jane 34
Annie 29
Ann 26
Margaret 22
Sarah 20
Isabella 17
Hannah 16
Alice 15
Eliza 13
Ellen 13
Louisa 10
Ada 7
Anne 7
Eleanor 7
Emma 6
Florence 6
Martha 5
Catherine 4
Edith 4
Maria 4
Rhoda 4
Agnes 3
Clara 3
Dorothy 3
Eliz. 3
Kate 3
Margret 3
Rebecca 3
Barbara 2
Betsy 2
Blanch 2
Bridget 2
Charlotte 2
Dinah 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Esther 2
Georgina 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Jennie 2
Laura 2
Mabel 2
Maud 2
Nelly 2
Ruth 2
Sophia 2
Winnifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 87
William 86
Thomas 61
George 39
Joseph 29
Robert 22
James 17
Henry 16
Michael 9
Stephen 9
Arthur 8
Richard 8
Alfred 7
Charles 7
Edward 7
Frank 7
Frederick 7
Francis 6
Samuel 6
Thos. 5
Albert 4
Fred 4
Nicholas 4
Wm. 4
Christopher 3
Harry 3
Tom 3
Daniel 2
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Harrison 2
Jonathan 2
Mathew 2
Patrick 2
Walter 2
Anthony 1
Coultas 1
David 1
Dickinson 1
Farrow 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Infant 1
J.M. 1
Jamas 1
Jesse 1
Jms. 1
Job 1

FAQ

Vasey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vasey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,064 people were recorded with the Vasey surname. That placed it at #3,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vasey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,703 in 2016. That gives Vasey a modern rank of #3,666.

What does the Vasey surname mean?

A locative surname from any of several places in England named Vassy or Vasey.

What does the Vasey map show?

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