NameCensus.

UK surname

Vear

A variant of the surname Weir, derived from an Old English word meaning dam or enclosure.

In the 1881 census there were 259 people recorded with the Vear surname, ranking it #10,808 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 326, ranked #13,896, down from #10,808 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Twyford and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Lindsey, Southampton and Bristol.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vear is 391 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.9%.

1881 census count

259

Ranked #10,808

Modern count

326

2016, ranked #13,896

Peak year

1999

391 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vear had 259 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,808 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016, ranked #13,896.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 363 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities.

Vear surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vear surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vear 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 221 #9,630
1861 historical 165 #14,112
1881 historical 259 #10,808
1891 historical 223 #13,800
1901 historical 279 #12,225
1911 historical 363 #10,005
1997 modern 380 #11,418
1998 modern 383 #11,748
1999 modern 391 #11,640
2000 modern 365 #12,196
2001 modern 362 #12,076
2002 modern 344 #12,777
2003 modern 343 #12,607
2004 modern 351 #12,422
2005 modern 344 #12,521
2006 modern 329 #13,044
2007 modern 343 #12,773
2008 modern 341 #12,958
2009 modern 362 #12,637
2010 modern 361 #12,933
2011 modern 354 #12,982
2012 modern 319 #13,898
2013 modern 325 #13,924
2014 modern 332 #13,807
2015 modern 325 #13,927
2016 modern 326 #13,896

Geography

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Where Vears are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Twyford, Bedminster, London parishes and Southampton St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Lindsey, Southampton, Bristol and Tunbridge Wells. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Twyford Hampshire
3 Bedminster Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 Southampton St Mary Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Lindsey 008 East Lindsey
2 Southampton 001 Southampton
3 Bristol 047 Bristol, City of
4 Southampton 008 Southampton
5 Tunbridge Wells 014 Tunbridge Wells

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vear

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vear

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

Baseline UK

Group

Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities

Nationally, the Vear surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Vear household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Single-person households are common in these neighbourhoods, and these residents are typically divorced rather than never married. A high proportion of residents were born outside the UK in the EU. There are many young adults, some with young children, but relatively few residents are of normal retirement age or over. Although levels of identification with ethnic minorities are in line with the Supergroup average, individuals identifying with Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is more common than average. High long-term disability rates are observed, and unpaid care is more common than in the rest of the Group. The predominant housing types are terraced houses and flats, which are typically part of the social rented sector. This Group is commonly found in coastal areas and (present-day or former) industrial towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Vear 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

Vear 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

Vear falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Vear 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 Vear, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Vear

The surname Vear has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'feor,' meaning 'far' or 'distant,' which may have been used as a descriptor for someone who lived far away or came from a distant place.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Vere.' This vital historical record, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames across England at the time.

During the 13th century, the name evolved into various spellings, including 'Veer,' 'Veare,' and 'Vear.' These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the evolving nature of the English language.

Notably, the surname Vear has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such example is Sir Ralph de Vere, a prominent English nobleman who lived in the 13th century (c.1210-1298). He served as a military commander and held significant estates in Essex.

Another noteworthy individual bearing this surname was John Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford (1443-1513), who played a crucial role in the Wars of the Roses. He fought alongside King Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, securing the Tudor dynasty's claim to the English throne.

In the 16th century, Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (1550-1604), gained recognition as a renowned poet and patron of the arts. He is widely believed to have been a significant figure in the English Renaissance and has been proposed as a potential candidate for the authorship of Shakespeare's works.

Moving into the 17th century, Sir Horace Vere (1565-1635) was a distinguished military leader who served in the Eighty Years' War and the Thirty Years' War. His exploits and strategic prowess earned him a reputation as one of England's most accomplished soldiers during that era.

Another notable figure was Thomas Vere, 7th Baron Vere of Tilbury (1590-1635), who followed in his family's military tradition and served as a prominent commander during the Thirty Years' War, fighting alongside his brother, Sir Horace Vere.

While the name Vear may have evolved and diversified over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to medieval England, where it first emerged as a descriptor for those living far away or hailing from distant lands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vear families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vear 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. Hampshire leads with 69 Vears recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.27x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 69 13.27x
Lincolnshire 67 16.52x
Yorkshire 27 1.07x
Middlesex 26 1.03x
Somerset 20 4.90x
Surrey 17 1.38x
Berkshire 8 4.20x
Essex 8 1.60x
Lancashire 8 0.27x
Gloucestershire 4 0.80x
Nottinghamshire 4 1.17x
Channel Islands 1 1.33x
Kent 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. Southampton St Mary in Hampshire leads with 26 Vears recorded in 1881 and an index of 79.54x.

Place Total Index
Southampton St Mary 26 79.54x
Twyford 23 1854.84x
Bedminster 14 36.50x
Alford 12 478.09x
Bingley 8 50.00x
Inworth 8 1454.55x
Frodingham 7 486.11x
Newington 7 7.47x
Earley 6 189.27x
St Mary Extra 6 143.54x
Bathwick 5 110.62x
Bethnal Green London 5 4.54x
Carisbrooke 5 69.25x
Dalby 5 3571.43x
St George Martyr 5 117.10x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 4 17.09x
Bermondsey 4 5.30x
Bowling 4 16.07x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 8.54x
Fareham 4 64.00x
Great Grimsby 4 15.54x
Maltby Le Marsh 4 1538.46x
Manchester 4 2.96x
Mumby 4 714.29x
Newark Upon Trent 4 32.55x
Sculcoates 4 10.04x
Skidbrook 4 1111.11x
St Marylebone London 4 2.95x
Stretford 4 24.15x
Chelsea London 3 3.93x
Haltham 3 2307.69x
Mile End Old Town 3 7.49x
St George In East 3 17.39x
Welton Le Wold 3 1034.48x
Boothby Graffoe 2 1428.57x
Burgh In Marsh 2 202.02x
East Ravendale 2 2222.22x
Hundleby 2 363.64x
Morley 2 15.30x
Southwark St John 2 25.77x
Thorpe St Peter 2 408.16x
Whitcliffe Cum Thorpe 2 869.57x
Winkfield 2 63.29x
Wortley In Bramley 2 10.05x
Apley 1 625.00x
Bathhampton 1 277.78x
Battersea 1 1.07x
Bilsby 1 227.27x
Bishopstoke 1 75.19x
Botley 1 106.38x
Camberwell 1 0.62x
Croft 1 151.52x
Edmonton 1 4.89x
Halton Holegate 1 232.56x
Holdenhurst 1 7.34x
Holy Trinity 1 1.65x
Islington London 1 0.41x
Kirkby Upon Bain 1 434.78x
Lewisham 1 2.17x
Limber Magna 1 238.10x
Louth 1 10.76x
North Owersby 1 333.33x
Reigate Foreign 1 7.47x
South Stoneham 1 8.87x
Southampton All Sts 1 11.21x
St Martin Lincoln 1 26.60x
St Pancras London 1 0.49x
St Sampson 1 29.50x
Streatham 1 5.31x
Winthorpe 1 344.83x
Withern 1 250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 16
Mary 15
Jane 9
Elizabeth 8
Ann 7
Alice 4
Annie 4
Eliza 4
Harriett 4
Louisa 4
Ellen 3
Hannah 3
Martha 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Georgiana 2
Matilda 2
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Christiana 1
Eliza. 1
Elizth. 1
Emeline 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Isabel 1
Jinny 1
John 1
Leimda 1
Lilian 1
Lissie 1
Lizzey 1
Margaret 1
Melina 1
Miriam 1
Percilla 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Selina 1
Yillah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 21
John 15
William 13
Thomas 11
Joseph 8
James 7
Charles 5
Edward 5
Henry 5
David 4
Frederick 4
Richard 4
Benjamin 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Philip 2
Ambrose 1
Chas. 1
Clewer 1
Fred 1
Isaac 1
Isac 1
Jesse 1
Jim 1
Laurence 1
May 1
Oldham 1
Peter 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1
Westley 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Vear surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vear surname in 1881?

In 1881, 259 people were recorded with the Vear surname. That placed it at #10,808 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vear surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016. That gives Vear a modern rank of #13,896.

What does the Vear surname mean?

A variant of the surname Weir, derived from an Old English word meaning dam or enclosure.

What does the Vear map show?

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