NameCensus.

UK surname

Veness

An archaic occupational surname referring to those who wove cloth.

In the 1881 census there were 418 people recorded with the Veness surname, ranking it #7,718 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 482, ranked #10,255, down from #7,718 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes and Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hastings and Dover.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Veness is 665 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.3%.

1881 census count

418

Ranked #7,718

Modern count

482

2016, ranked #10,255

Peak year

1911

665 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Veness had 418 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,718 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 482 in 2016, ranked #10,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 665 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities.

Veness surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Veness surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Veness 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 216 #9,818
1861 historical 159 #14,553
1881 historical 418 #7,718
1891 historical 422 #8,483
1901 historical 555 #7,489
1911 historical 665 #6,323
1997 modern 515 #9,110
1998 modern 535 #9,118
1999 modern 544 #9,055
2000 modern 541 #9,070
2001 modern 521 #9,174
2002 modern 528 #9,266
2003 modern 496 #9,540
2004 modern 495 #9,573
2005 modern 479 #9,737
2006 modern 484 #9,709
2007 modern 469 #10,028
2008 modern 473 #10,056
2009 modern 477 #10,206
2010 modern 486 #10,264
2011 modern 485 #10,180
2012 modern 492 #9,989
2013 modern 493 #10,119
2014 modern 495 #10,145
2015 modern 482 #10,281
2016 modern 482 #10,255

Geography

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Where Veness' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield and Goudhurst. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hastings and Dover. 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 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield Sussex
5 Goudhurst Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hastings 006 Hastings
2 Dover 011 Dover
3 Hastings 007 Hastings
4 Hastings 003 Hastings
5 Hastings 008 Hastings

Forenames

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First names often paired with Veness

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Veness

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Veness, 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 Veness surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Veness 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Veness is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Veness is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Veness falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Veness

The surname Veness originated in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "venys," which referred to a marsh or fen. This suggests that the name may have been initially used to identify someone who lived near or worked in a marshy area.

One of the earliest known references to the name Veness can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, a tax record from 1296. Here, a person named William Veness is listed as a resident of the village of Warbleton. The name is also found in the Hundred Rolls of Edward I, which were compiled between 1273 and 1278, indicating its presence in various parts of England during that period.

In the 14th century, the surname Veness appeared in the records of the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1327. This document lists a Hugo Veness as a taxpayer in the village of Bockleton. Around the same time, in 1332, a Richard Veness is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, further solidifying the name's presence in that region.

During the 15th century, the surname Veness continued to be found in various parts of England. In the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, a Johannes Veness is listed as a resident of the village of Coverham. Additionally, in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1475, a Thomas Veness is recorded as a taxpayer in the village of Hanbury.

One notable bearer of the Veness surname was John Veness, a prominent merchant and benefactor who lived in the 16th century. Born in 1520 in the town of Sandwich, Kent, he made his fortune through trade and bequeathed a significant portion of his wealth to charitable causes upon his death in 1585.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Veness was Robert Veness, a renowned clockmaker who lived in the 17th century. Born in 1635 in Oxfordshire, he was known for his intricate and accurate timepieces, some of which are still preserved in museums and private collections today. He passed away in 1701.

In the 18th century, the name Veness can be found in the parish records of various English counties, including Sussex, Kent, and Worcestershire. One notable bearer from this period was William Veness, a prominent landowner and justice of the peace in the county of Sussex. He was born in 1712 and died in 1789.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Veness continued to be found across various regions of England, with bearers hailing from diverse backgrounds and occupations. Among them was Edward Veness, a respected author and historian who lived in the 19th century. Born in 1820 in Kent, he wrote several books on the history and folklore of his home county, including "The Chronicles of Kentish Folklore" published in 1875. He passed away in 1890.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Veness families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Veness 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. Sussex leads with 282 Veness' recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.02x.

County Total Index
Sussex 282 41.02x
Middlesex 40 0.98x
Surrey 40 2.01x
Kent 23 1.65x
Essex 11 1.37x
Warwickshire 8 0.78x
Wiltshire 8 2.22x
Hertfordshire 4 1.42x
Hampshire 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battle in Sussex leads with 36 Veness' recorded in 1881 and an index of 775.86x.

Place Total Index
Battle 36 775.86x
Hastings St Mary In The 21 143.15x
Bermondsey 19 15.65x
Penhurst 19 12666.67x
Hastings St Mary 18 105.20x
Bexhill 16 466.47x
Hastings St Clement 14 216.38x
Eastbourne 11 34.78x
Goudhurst 11 285.71x
Herstmonceaux 11 531.40x
West Ham 11 6.19x
Fulham London 10 16.91x
Mountfield 10 1149.43x
Westfield 10 680.27x
Kensington London 9 3.97x
Ashburnham 8 740.74x
Hastings St Leonards 8 79.21x
Hollington 8 326.53x
Lambeth 8 2.25x
Lewes All Sts 8 291.97x
Ore 8 156.25x
Birmingham 7 2.04x
Bromley London 7 7.80x
Hooe 7 1060.61x
Swindon 7 25.03x
West Firle 7 875.00x
Brighton 6 4.33x
Camberwell 6 2.30x
Chelsea London 6 4.88x
Deptford St Paul 6 5.59x
East Grinstead 6 61.67x
Ticehurst 6 142.52x
Croydon 5 4.53x
Frant 5 102.67x
Hastings All Sts 5 77.16x
Heathfield 5 179.21x
Hellingly 4 173.91x
Hertford St Andrew 4 115.27x
St Marylebone London 4 1.84x
Tonbridge 4 7.97x
Hailsham 3 72.12x
Westbourne 3 87.72x
Ardingly 2 91.32x
Brightling 2 212.77x
Cheam 2 93.90x
Chichester St Andrew 2 281.69x
Hastings Holy Trinity 2 39.45x
Hastings St Michael 2 408.16x
Newick 2 132.45x
Sidlesham 2 151.52x
St Dunstan In East 2 666.67x
Warbleton 2 97.56x
Basingstoke 1 10.41x
Cleeve Prior 1 250.00x
Colerne 1 67.57x
Hillingdon 1 7.69x
Hurstpierpoint 1 26.11x
Keymer 1 20.62x
Maidstone 1 2.41x
Monks Kirby 1 44.25x
Pembury 1 50.76x
St Pancras London 1 0.30x
Wartling 1 119.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 18
Sarah 17
Emily 10
Jane 10
Caroline 8
Charlotte 8
Ellen 8
Alice 7
Ann 7
Emma 6
Annie 5
Eliza 5
Frances 5
Harriet 5
Catherine 4
Louisa 4
Margaret 4
Anne 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Kate 3
Naomi 3
Agness 2
Amelia 2
Esther 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Rosa 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Amy 1
Bertha 1
Bridget 1
Burtha 1
E.A. 1
Elisia 1
Elsie 1
Emiley 1
F.M. 1
Henrietta 1
Infant 1
Jessie 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Loudsr 1
Lucey 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 26
William 21
George 19
Thomas 18
Alfred 12
Charles 11
John 9
Frederick 8
Albert 7
Henry 7
Joseph 6
Arthur 5
Edwin 4
Amos 3
Edward 3
Horace 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Edmund 2
Frank 2
Aaron 1
Alfd. 1
Algeon 1
Archibald 1
Fredrick 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
J.Alfred 1
Jesse 1
Jonathan 1
Jonothan 1
Leonard 1
Moses 1
Owen 1
Reginald 1
Reuben 1
Ricd. 1
Richd. 1
Rupert 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Vincent 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Veness surname: questions and answers

How common was the Veness surname in 1881?

In 1881, 418 people were recorded with the Veness surname. That placed it at #7,718 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Veness surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 482 in 2016. That gives Veness a modern rank of #10,255.

What does the Veness surname mean?

An archaic occupational surname referring to those who wove cloth.

What does the Veness map show?

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