NameCensus.

UK surname

Veitch

Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "little green inlet or bay".

In the 1881 census there were 2,119 people recorded with the Veitch surname, ranking it #2,085 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,384, ranked #2,754, down from #2,085 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Veitch is 2,483 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.5%.

1881 census count

2,119

Ranked #2,085

Modern count

2,384

2016, ranked #2,754

Peak year

2010

2,483 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Veitch had 2,119 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,085 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,384 in 2016, ranked #2,754.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,435 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Veitch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Veitch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Veitch 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 1,274 #2,243
1861 historical 1,315 #2,171
1881 historical 2,119 #2,085
1891 historical 2,128 #2,189
1901 historical 2,435 #2,233
1911 historical 1,184 #3,960
1997 modern 2,300 #2,702
1998 modern 2,385 #2,717
1999 modern 2,421 #2,705
2000 modern 2,464 #2,649
2001 modern 2,409 #2,649
2002 modern 2,459 #2,663
2003 modern 2,382 #2,683
2004 modern 2,371 #2,689
2005 modern 2,355 #2,667
2006 modern 2,333 #2,697
2007 modern 2,354 #2,702
2008 modern 2,357 #2,717
2009 modern 2,400 #2,727
2010 modern 2,483 #2,713
2011 modern 2,447 #2,718
2012 modern 2,362 #2,748
2013 modern 2,395 #2,762
2014 modern 2,405 #2,762
2015 modern 2,400 #2,747
2016 modern 2,384 #2,754

Geography

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Where Veitchs are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Gatehouse, Cheviot East, Gateshead, Sunderland and Eden. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Newcastle St John Northumberland
5 Penicuik Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gatehouse Dumfries and Galloway
2 Cheviot East Scottish Borders
3 Gateshead 004 Gateshead
4 Sunderland 021 Sunderland
5 Eden 004 Eden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Veitch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Veitch

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Veitch, 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 Veitch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Veitch 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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Inner London Working Professionals

Within London, Veitch is most associated with areas classed as Inner London Working Professionals, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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 primarily Inner London neighbourhoods are more densely populated than the Supergroup average. Residents have a younger over-all age profile than the Supergroup as a whole, and are less likely to be owner occupiers. Full time employment is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup and multiple car ownership is uncommon. Chinese and non-EU-born European migrants are less in evidence than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Veitch 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

Veitch falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Veitch

The surname Veitch originated in Scotland during the medieval era. It is derived from the Gaelic word "feith," meaning "marsh" or "green, grassy place." This name was likely given to someone who lived near a marshy area or in a meadow-like region.

One of the earliest recordings of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where it appears as "Veyche." This document listed Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

In the 14th century, the name was recorded as "Veche" and "Vech" in various Scottish charters and records. Over time, the spelling evolved into "Veitch" and "Vetch," which are the more common modern variants.

The name is also associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Vetchville in East Lothian and Veitch's Bridge in Berwickshire. These locations may have been named after individuals or families bearing the Veitch surname.

Notable individuals with the surname Veitch include:

1. William Veitch (1640-1722), a Scottish Presbyterian minister and author who was exiled for his religious beliefs during the Killing Times.

2. John Veitch (1829-1894), a Scottish philosopher and author who served as the Professor of Logic and Rhetoric at the University of Glasgow.

3. Henry Veitch (1767-1836), a Scottish sculptor known for his works in marble and bronze, including statues of notable figures like Sir Walter Scott.

4. James Veitch (1792-1863), a Scottish horticulturist and nurseryman who introduced many new plant species to Britain from his extensive travels.

5. John Gould Veitch (1835-1870), a botanist and plant collector who explored various regions of the world, including Japan and the Philippines, to collect and study exotic plant specimens.

The Veitch surname has a rich history rooted in Scotland's landscapes and cultural heritage. Its enduring presence over the centuries has produced notable individuals across diverse fields, from religion and philosophy to horticulture and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Veitch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Veitch 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. Midlothian leads with 434 Veitchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.82x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 434 16.82x
Lanarkshire 223 3.58x
Durham 189 3.30x
Northumberland 188 6.56x
Peeblesshire 151 166.72x
Berwickshire 82 35.16x
Fife 78 6.84x
Middlesex 69 0.36x
Roxburghshire 69 19.78x
Lancashire 48 0.21x
Cumberland 47 2.83x
Dumfriesshire 38 8.93x
Surrey 37 0.39x
Renfrewshire 35 2.35x
Kent 30 0.46x
East Lothian 28 10.98x
Yorkshire 25 0.13x
Perthshire 22 2.55x
Stirlingshire 17 2.39x
West Lothian 17 5.86x
Angus 16 0.90x
Dunbartonshire 12 2.32x
Kirkcudbrightshire 12 4.30x
Staffordshire 12 0.18x
Lincolnshire 11 0.36x
Ayrshire 10 0.69x
Selkirkshire 9 5.17x
Essex 8 0.21x
Kincardineshire 8 3.41x
Argyllshire 7 1.31x
Devon 6 0.15x
Somerset 6 0.19x
Royal Navy 5 2.18x
Shropshire 4 0.24x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.17x
Derbyshire 2 0.07x
Glamorgan 2 0.06x
Hampshire 2 0.05x
Leicestershire 2 0.09x
Suffolk 2 0.09x
Sussex 2 0.06x
Berkshire 1 0.07x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.08x
Cheshire 1 0.02x
Oxfordshire 1 0.08x
Ross-shire 1 0.19x
Wiltshire 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. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 131 Veitchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.62x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 131 12.62x
Peebles 63 235.34x
Carnwath 51 132.43x
Penicuik 49 139.80x
South Leith 34 11.71x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 32 52.44x
Gateshead 30 6.99x
Jedburgh 30 87.77x
Govan 29 1.88x
Westgate 29 16.34x
Glasgow 27 2.44x
Liberton 25 62.78x
Dunfermline 22 12.55x
Barony 21 1.33x
North Leith 20 16.75x
Chirnside 19 190.19x
Drumelzier 19 1386.86x
West Linton 18 243.90x
Lasswade 17 28.82x
Abbey 16 7.03x
Bedlington 16 16.72x
Borthwick 15 130.10x
Crossgate 15 59.88x
Eddleston 15 318.47x
Edinburgh St Stephens 15 29.54x
Kettle 15 109.65x
Southwick 15 27.65x
Dalkeith 14 27.51x
Edinburgh St Georges 14 26.15x
Hetton Le Hole 14 19.28x
Langholm 14 45.80x
Newburn Hall 14 259.26x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 14 8.18x
Walston 14 625.00x
Westoe 14 4.31x
Winlaton 14 25.47x
Carham 13 175.20x
Elswick 13 5.69x
Salford 13 1.93x
Bishopwearmouth 12 2.44x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 12 4.84x
Linlithgow 12 32.27x
South Shields 12 23.52x
Traquair 12 239.04x
Biggar 11 78.13x
Farnham 11 15.08x
Faversham 11 17.56x
Innerleithen 11 45.76x
Inveresk 11 15.75x
Loose 11 113.99x
St Pancras London 11 0.71x
Carmichael 10 194.17x
Crawford 10 86.06x
Dunbar 10 27.96x
Dysart 10 13.03x
Earlston 10 85.69x
Edinburgh Canongate 10 15.23x
Falkirk 10 6.02x
Haddington 10 26.56x
Melrose 10 33.16x
Swinton 10 156.99x
Thorngrafton 10 518.13x
Wark 10 295.86x
Chelsea London 9 1.55x
Colinton 9 31.28x
Dundee 9 1.35x
Dunse 9 40.71x
Edinburgh High Church 9 55.59x
Gretna 9 112.50x
Leeds 9 0.84x
Medomsley 9 33.68x
Bedrule 8 451.98x
Crieff 8 24.89x
Cummersdale 8 141.34x
Houghton Le Spring 8 20.20x
Laurencekirk 8 58.87x
Port Glasgow 8 11.09x
Sprouston 8 118.17x
St George In East 8 6.11x
West Ham 8 0.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 59
Elizabeth 38
Margaret 26
Jane 21
Annie 16
Sarah 16
Ellen 14
Isabella 14
Alice 10
Ann 10
Maria 6
Agnes 5
Catherine 5
Eleanor 5
Emily 5
Janet 5
Anne 4
Edith 4
Eliza 4
Martha 4
Charlotte 3
Dorothy 3
Emma 3
Ethel 3
Hannah 3
Henrietta 3
Marion 3
Anna 2
Cathrine 2
Clara 2
Constance 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Helen 2
Louisa 2
Margt 2
Marian 2
Agness 1
C. 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
E.A. 1
Eliz. 1
Elizebth.L. 1
Ellenor 1
Heresa 1
Hilda 1
I. 1
Isabel 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 46
William 43
James 42
Robert 30
George 26
Thomas 22
Joseph 15
Henry 10
Alexander 8
Andrew 7
Alfred 5
Charles 4
David 4
Edward 4
Harry 4
Peter 4
Walter 4
Anthony 3
Arthur 3
Ernest 3
Frederick 3
Jesse 3
Matthew 3
Michael 3
Ralph 3
Samuel 3
Adam 2
Francis 2
J. 2
Patrick 2
Wm. 2
Crawford 1
D. 1
Douglas 1
Frank 1
Geo.T.P. 1
Gerald 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Jas. 1
Jos.G. 1
Malcolm 1
Norman 1
Quinton 1
Robt. 1
Robt.W. 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Thos.H. 1

FAQ

Veitch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Veitch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,119 people were recorded with the Veitch surname. That placed it at #2,085 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Veitch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,384 in 2016. That gives Veitch a modern rank of #2,754.

What does the Veitch surname mean?

Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "little green inlet or bay".

What does the Veitch map show?

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