NameCensus.

UK surname

Veale

An Irish surname derived from the Old French word "veille" meaning old or ancient.

In the 1881 census there were 1,282 people recorded with the Veale surname, ranking it #3,184 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,505, ranked #4,110, down from #3,184 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Blaenau Gwent and Plymouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Veale is 1,948 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.4%.

1881 census count

1,282

Ranked #3,184

Modern count

1,505

2016, ranked #4,110

Peak year

1911

1,948 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Veale had 1,282 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,184 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,505 in 2016, ranked #4,110.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,948 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Veale surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Veale surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Veale 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 757 #3,514
1861 historical 594 #4,463
1881 historical 1,282 #3,184
1891 historical 1,358 #3,198
1901 historical 1,851 #2,838
1911 historical 1,948 #2,550
1997 modern 1,574 #3,747
1998 modern 1,635 #3,756
1999 modern 1,658 #3,745
2000 modern 1,640 #3,760
2001 modern 1,600 #3,776
2002 modern 1,594 #3,867
2003 modern 1,580 #3,812
2004 modern 1,600 #3,787
2005 modern 1,581 #3,768
2006 modern 1,556 #3,821
2007 modern 1,541 #3,897
2008 modern 1,530 #3,941
2009 modern 1,571 #3,937
2010 modern 1,577 #4,007
2011 modern 1,585 #3,940
2012 modern 1,511 #4,058
2013 modern 1,548 #4,032
2014 modern 1,538 #4,089
2015 modern 1,517 #4,097
2016 modern 1,505 #4,110

Geography

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Where Veales are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Plymouth St Charles the Martyr. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, Blaenau Gwent, Plymouth, Cornwall and Torridge. 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 Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin Devon
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 006 South Hams
2 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent
3 Plymouth 013 Plymouth
4 Cornwall 023 Cornwall
5 Torridge 009 Torridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Veale

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Veale

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Veale surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Veale household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Veale 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

Veale is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Veale

The surname VEALE is of Anglo-Saxon origin, with its roots traced back to the counties of Devonshire and Cornwall in England during the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "veal," meaning "calf" or "small cow," suggesting a possible occupational association with cattle or dairy farming among the earliest bearers of this surname.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the VEALE surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population compiled in 1086 under the order of William the Conqueror. This historical record lists several individuals with variations of the name, such as "de Veal" and "atte Veal," indicating the surname's presence in medieval England.

In the 13th century, the VEALE surname appeared in various legal and ecclesiastical documents, including the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1275, which recorded a "Robert Vele." This early spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surname spellings during that era.

One notable bearer of the VEALE surname was Sir Robert Veale (1508-1572), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1564. Another figure was John Veale (1630-1690), an English Puritan minister and writer who authored several religious works during the 17th century.

The VEALE surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Veale's Green in Wiltshire and Veales Farm in Somerset. These locations likely derived their names from individuals bearing the VEALE surname who once resided or held land in those areas.

Other historical figures with the VEALE surname include:

1. Thomas Veale (1833-1923), an English architect known for designing several churches and public buildings in Cornwall. 2. Richard Veale (1835-1909), a British naval officer and explorer who participated in Arctic expeditions and served as the Hydrographer of the Admiralty. 3. William Veale (1849-1931), an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Somerset County Cricket Club in the late 19th century. 4. Hubert Veale (1873-1963), a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valor during World War I. 5. Decimus Veale (1892-1956), an Australian military officer and politician who served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives.

While the VEALE surname may have originated from humble beginnings, its bearers have left their mark on various fields, including commerce, religion, architecture, exploration, sports, and public service, reflecting the diverse paths taken by those carrying this historic Anglo-Saxon name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Veale families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Veale 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 367 Veales recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.00x.

County Total Index
Devon 367 14.00x
Cornwall 206 14.45x
Gloucestershire 132 5.34x
Somerset 130 6.41x
Middlesex 102 0.81x
Yorkshire 53 0.42x
Hampshire 36 1.39x
Lancashire 29 0.19x
Norfolk 23 1.19x
Worcestershire 22 1.34x
Durham 21 0.56x
Herefordshire 20 3.87x
Surrey 20 0.33x
Staffordshire 19 0.45x
Brecknockshire 13 5.16x
Essex 11 0.44x
Suffolk 9 0.59x
Aberdeenshire 8 0.69x
Wiltshire 8 0.72x
Cheshire 7 0.25x
Isle of Man 7 2.99x
Fife 6 0.80x
Glamorgan 6 0.27x
Lincolnshire 6 0.30x
Sussex 6 0.28x
Kent 3 0.07x
Denbighshire 2 0.42x
Hertfordshire 2 0.23x
Leicestershire 2 0.14x
Northumberland 2 0.11x
Shropshire 2 0.18x
Warwickshire 2 0.06x
Anglesey 1 0.45x
Derbyshire 1 0.05x
Northamptonshire 1 0.08x
Oxfordshire 1 0.13x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.25x
Radnorshire 1 0.98x
Roxburghshire 1 0.44x
Royal Navy 1 0.67x
Westmorland 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Damerel in Devon leads with 52 Veales recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.34x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Damerel 52 28.34x
Plymouth St Andrew 44 21.79x
Bristol St George 31 27.14x
Chew Magna 27 380.28x
Dartmouth St Saviour 26 347.13x
Islington London 23 1.88x
Stowey 22 4000.00x
Clifton 21 16.82x
Brixham 20 65.85x
Bedminster 17 8.92x
Holbeton 17 354.17x
South Brent 17 301.95x
St Austell 15 30.78x
Calstock 14 50.07x
Plymouth Charles The 14 12.12x
Great Yarmouth 13 8.10x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 12 5.16x
Kingsbridge 12 182.09x
Southampton St Mary 12 7.39x
Dartmouth St Petrox 11 291.01x
Maker 11 83.52x
Paddington London 11 2.38x
St Mary Magdalene 11 104.96x
Bristol St Augustine 10 25.09x
Colan 10 952.38x
Exeter Allhallows On The 10 232.56x
Keynsham 10 68.68x
Leeds 10 1.42x
Wendron 10 50.51x
Compton Gifford 9 109.49x
Hunton 9 508.47x
Illogan 9 23.84x
Millbrook 9 13.84x
Perranzabuloe 9 73.17x
St Marylebone London 9 1.34x
St Mellion 9 676.69x
Willesden 9 7.58x
Belhelvie 8 100.38x
Claines 8 17.73x
Constantine 8 96.39x
Dawlish 8 40.92x
Down St Mary 8 571.43x
Ermington 8 83.86x
Falmouth 8 15.85x
Hound 8 45.66x
Llyswen 8 941.18x
Padstow 8 84.39x
Phillack 8 43.48x
Sprowston 8 93.68x
Tanfield 8 17.96x
Wanstead 8 18.38x
Almondsbury 7 74.23x
Bootle Cum Linacre 7 5.90x
Bridestow 7 251.80x
Bromley London 7 2.53x
Davidstow 7 397.73x
Everton 7 1.47x
Gloucester St Catherine 7 100.57x
Gorleston 7 17.96x
Hackney London 7 0.99x
North Petherton 7 42.81x
Saddleworth 7 7.27x
St Columb Major 7 59.17x
St Giles On The Heath 7 588.24x
St Just In Penwith 7 25.31x
St Pancras London 7 0.69x
Tavistock 7 23.44x
West Bromwich 7 2.88x
Ashburton 6 47.89x
Ashwater 6 161.29x
Clevedon 6 28.46x
Coaley 6 188.68x
Dalgety 6 105.45x
Gloucester St Nicholas 6 52.45x
Nether Hallam 6 3.55x
Preston 6 16.18x
St Columb Minor 6 50.13x
Tutnall Cobley 6 279.07x
Walkhampton 6 239.04x
Wellington 6 21.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 84
Elizabeth 66
Sarah 41
Emily 26
Ellen 23
Ann 19
Eliza 18
Emma 18
Jane 18
Alice 16
Annie 16
Caroline 16
Louisa 16
Charlotte 12
Edith 11
Florence 10
Fanny 9
Laura 9
Lucy 9
Clara 8
Jessie 8
Margaret 8
Bessie 7
Catherine 7
Frances 7
Hannah 7
Sophia 7
Harriet 6
Susan 6
Amelia 5
Elizth. 5
Maria 5
Ada 4
Anne 4
Beatrice 4
Ethel 4
Julia 4
Kate 4
Martha 4
Rosa 4
Amy 3
Elizebeth 3
Helen 3
Helena 3
Lilly 3
Mabel 3
Rebecca 3
Ruth 3
Susannah 3
Eleanor 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 92
John 67
Thomas 38
George 35
Henry 35
James 30
Charles 23
Richard 18
Edward 16
Samuel 16
Alfred 13
Albert 12
Frederick 11
Robert 10
Arthur 9
Joseph 9
Francis 7
Ernest 6
Philip 6
Walter 6
Frank 5
Sidney 5
Benjamin 4
Herbert 4
Sydney 4
Wm. 4
Edwin 3
Geo. 3
Harry 3
Jervis 3
Oliver 3
Aubrey 2
David 2
Frederic 2
Israel 2
Jonathan 2
Martin 2
Percy 2
Richd. 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Ananias 1
Bartolozzi 1
Bertram 1
Donal 1
Earnest 1
Edman 1
Edmund 1
Harrie 1
Wm.Jas. 1

FAQ

Veale surname: questions and answers

How common was the Veale surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,282 people were recorded with the Veale surname. That placed it at #3,184 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Veale surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,505 in 2016. That gives Veale a modern rank of #4,110.

What does the Veale surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Old French word "veille" meaning old or ancient.

What does the Veale map show?

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