NameCensus.

UK surname

Vega

A Spanish toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a fertile plain or meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Vega surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 278, ranked #15,579, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cardiff, Wokingham and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vega is 278 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27700.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

278

2016, ranked #15,579

Peak year

2016

278 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vega had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 278 in 2016, ranked #15,579.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Vega surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vega surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vega 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
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 87 #29,240
1999 modern 94 #28,593
2000 modern 107 #26,700
2001 modern 112 #25,644
2002 modern 121 #24,984
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 120 #25,078
2005 modern 135 #23,297
2006 modern 144 #22,520
2007 modern 151 #22,120
2008 modern 162 #21,350
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 197 #19,640
2011 modern 200 #19,280
2012 modern 231 #17,448
2013 modern 245 #17,025
2014 modern 257 #16,598
2015 modern 268 #16,007
2016 modern 278 #15,579

Geography

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Where Vegas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cardiff, Wokingham, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Bristol. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cardiff 037 Cardiff
2 Wokingham 005 Wokingham
3 Kensington and Chelsea 008 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Westminster 014 Westminster
5 Bristol 032 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vega

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vega

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Vega surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Vega household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Vega is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vega is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vega falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Vega 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Vega

The surname Vega originates from Spain, where it was derived from the Spanish word "vega," meaning a fertile plain or valley. The name initially emerged in the 13th century, particularly in the regions of Andalusia and Extremadura.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Vega surname can be found in the "Libro de la Montería" (Book of the Hunt), a 14th-century manuscript commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile, which mentions individuals bearing the name Vega.

During the 15th century, the Vega surname gained prominence when Garcilaso de la Vega (1501-1536), a renowned Spanish poet and soldier, rose to fame. His works, including "Églogas" and "Sonetos," significantly influenced the development of Spanish poetry.

Another notable figure was Lope de Vega (1562-1635), considered one of the most prolific and influential playwrights of the Spanish Golden Age. His masterpieces, such as "Fuenteovejuna" and "El Caballero de Olmedo," solidified his reputation as a literary giant.

In the 18th century, José de Vega y Portolés (1673-1739) made significant contributions as a Spanish Baroque sculptor, leaving behind numerous religious and allegorical works that adorned churches and public spaces across Spain.

The Vega surname also gained recognition in the realm of science with José Celestino Mutis (1732-1808), a Spanish botanist and mathematician who led the Royal Botanical Expedition to Nueva Granada (present-day Colombia) and made invaluable contributions to the study of South American flora.

Venturing into the 19th century, Ventura de la Vega (1807-1865) emerged as a prominent Spanish writer and dramatist, renowned for his plays and zarzuelas (Spanish lyric-dramatic genre), including "El Hombre de Mundo" and "La Vida es Sueño."

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the Vega surname throughout history, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and impact across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vega families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vega 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. Cheshire leads with 1 Vegas recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.95x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 1 46.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birkenhead in Cheshire leads with 1 Vegas recorded in 1881 and an index of 588.24x.

Place Total Index
Birkenhead 1 588.24x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Baldomero 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Vega households.

Occupation Count
Subrecarge 1

FAQ

Vega surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vega surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Vega surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vega surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 278 in 2016. That gives Vega a modern rank of #15,579.

What does the Vega surname mean?

A Spanish toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a fertile plain or meadow.

What does the Vega map show?

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