NameCensus.

UK surname

Vercoe

A locational surname originating in England, derived from the town of Vercoe.

In the 1881 census there were 272 people recorded with the Vercoe surname, ranking it #10,409 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 240, ranked #17,278, down from #10,409 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bodmin, St Columb Major and St Ewe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vercoe is 339 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 11.8%.

1881 census count

272

Ranked #10,409

Modern count

240

2016, ranked #17,278

Peak year

1901

339 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vercoe had 272 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,409 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016, ranked #17,278.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 339 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Vercoe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vercoe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vercoe 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 212 #9,965
1861 historical 211 #11,508
1881 historical 272 #10,409
1891 historical 254 #12,598
1901 historical 339 #10,682
1911 historical 302 #11,394
1997 modern 231 #16,049
1998 modern 244 #15,947
1999 modern 236 #16,404
2000 modern 237 #16,331
2001 modern 228 #16,525
2002 modern 237 #16,413
2003 modern 246 #15,769
2004 modern 242 #16,050
2005 modern 231 #16,529
2006 modern 239 #16,224
2007 modern 229 #16,941
2008 modern 229 #17,092
2009 modern 235 #17,151
2010 modern 231 #17,711
2011 modern 230 #17,578
2012 modern 229 #17,537
2013 modern 243 #17,114
2014 modern 243 #17,232
2015 modern 240 #17,279
2016 modern 240 #17,278

Geography

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Where Vercoes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bodmin, St Columb Major, St Ewe, St Austell and Kenwyn, Tregavethan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Bodmin Cornwall
2 St Columb Major Cornwall
3 St Ewe Cornwall
4 St Austell Cornwall
5 Kenwyn, Tregavethan Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 036 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 019 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 038 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 041 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 030 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vercoe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vercoe

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Vercoe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Vercoe 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Established Homeowners with Children

Within London, Vercoe is most associated with areas classed as Established Homeowners with Children, 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 predominantly British-born residents are typically married/in civil partnerships and own the properties in which they are raising their children. Parents are typically over 45, and many other residents are beyond normal retirement age. Detached and semi-detached houses predominate and multiple car ownership is common.

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

Vercoe is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Vercoe

The surname Vercoe has its origins in France and dates back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "vercor," which means "green meadow" or "pasture." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived near or owned a verdant meadow or grazing land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vercoe can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Verdecurt," which was likely a variant spelling.

During the 12th century, the name was also documented in various charters and records from the region of Normandy in France. It was often spelled as "Vercour" or "Vercourt," reflecting the regional dialect and pronunciation.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent further variations in spelling, such as "Vercoe," "Verco," and "Vercoh." These changes were often influenced by local dialects, scribal errors, or attempts to adapt the name to different languages.

One notable individual with the surname Vercoe was Sir John Vercoe (c. 1510-1572), an English soldier and landowner from Devonshire. He served under King Henry VIII and played a role in the suppression of the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion in 1536.

Another prominent figure was Marguerite Vercoe (1680-1748), a French writer and philosopher who was part of the literary salons in Paris during the Age of Enlightenment. Her works explored themes of rationalism and scientific inquiry.

In the 19th century, William Vercoe (1828-1901) made a name for himself as a successful businessman and philanthropist in London. He established several charitable foundations and was known for his support of educational initiatives.

The name Vercoe also has ties to the Netherlands, where Jan Vercoe (1692-1767) was a renowned painter and engraver. His works depicted landscapes and scenes from daily life, capturing the Dutch Golden Age.

Lastly, in the 20th century, Emily Vercoe (1920-2005) was a pioneering scientist who made significant contributions to the field of molecular biology. Her research focused on the structure and function of DNA and RNA molecules.

While these are just a few examples, the surname Vercoe has a rich history spanning multiple countries and centuries, reflecting the diverse journeys and accomplishments of those who have carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vercoe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vercoe 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. Cornwall leads with 151 Vercoes recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.40x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 151 51.40x
Devon 27 5.00x
Middlesex 16 0.62x
Kent 14 1.58x
Flintshire 9 12.90x
Hertfordshire 8 4.47x
Cheshire 6 1.05x
Lancashire 5 0.16x
Somerset 5 1.20x
Suffolk 4 1.27x
Sussex 4 0.91x
Carmarthenshire 3 2.74x
Durham 2 0.26x
Hampshire 2 0.38x
Royal Navy 2 6.47x
Yorkshire 2 0.08x
Cumberland 1 0.45x
Denbighshire 1 1.02x
Lincolnshire 1 0.24x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.21x
Surrey 1 0.08x
Warwickshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Clement in Cornwall leads with 20 Vercoes recorded in 1881 and an index of 651.47x.

Place Total Index
St Clement 20 651.47x
St Stephen In Brannel 14 522.39x
St Columb Major 13 532.79x
Lanivet 11 1208.79x
Kenwyn 10 130.21x
Holywell 9 102.74x
Lewisham 9 19.06x
Luxulyan 8 816.33x
Stoke Damerel 8 21.16x
Camborne 7 57.85x
Cardinham 7 2592.59x
Hornsey 7 21.34x
Bodmin 6 123.46x
Gorran 6 722.89x
St Austell 6 59.76x
St Blazey 6 232.56x
Habergham Eaves 5 17.77x
Hemel Hempstead 5 62.03x
Henstridge 5 434.78x
Probus 5 416.67x
St Erme 5 1111.11x
Tormoham 5 21.88x
Dunwich 4 1818.18x
Greenwich 4 9.68x
Gwennap 4 72.20x
Hastings St Mary 4 36.73x
Ladock 4 481.93x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 9.61x
Stockport 4 13.57x
Falmouth 3 28.85x
Llanelly 3 12.18x
St Ewe 3 337.08x
St Marylebone London 3 2.17x
Truro St Mary 3 121.46x
Bishopwearmouth 2 3.02x
Brixham 2 31.95x
Hackney London 2 1.37x
Hillingdon 2 24.18x
Northchurch 2 104.71x
Portsea 2 1.92x
Roche 2 134.23x
Royal Navy 2 7.57x
Tiverton 2 21.51x
Arlecdon 1 16.84x
Beddington 1 20.45x
Berkhampstead 1 24.88x
Bodmin St Mabyn 1 625.00x
Devonport 1 16.10x
Dukinfield 1 3.78x
Ecclesfield 1 5.31x
Gwithian 1 181.82x
Ilfracombe 1 17.99x
Kensington London 1 0.69x
Lee 1 7.78x
Marton In Prestbury 1 370.37x
Milford Haven 1 149.25x
Paignton 1 24.33x
Priors Marston 1 196.08x
Rawdon 1 33.00x
Redruth 1 12.03x
South Common Lincoln 1 476.19x
St Columb Minor 1 40.49x
St Stephen 1 96.15x
St Tudy 1 217.39x
St Veep 1 208.33x
Staines 1 24.33x
Tavistock 1 16.26x
Tregoney St James 1 181.82x
West Teignmouth 1 24.21x
Withycombe Rawleigh 1 35.59x
Wrexham Regis 1 13.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Elizabeth 12
Ellen 8
Jane 5
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Charlotte 4
Eliza 4
Emma 4
Anna 3
Bessie 3
Edith 3
Hannah 3
Harriett 3
Ann 2
Catherine 2
Edna 2
Eleanor 2
Ethel 2
Eva 2
Fanny 2
Julia 2
Laura 2
Louisa 2
Mabel 2
Margaret 2
Martha 2
Miriam 2
Susan 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Frances 1
Hettie 1
Honor 1
Kate 1
L. 1
Lavina 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Louise 1
Luccy 1
Lucy 1
Mahala 1
Maria 1
Marrianne 1
Maud 1
Milsant 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 28
John 15
Henry 11
Richard 7
Thomas 7
Charles 6
James 6
Arthur 4
George 4
Joseph 4
Edwin 3
Samuel 3
Alfred 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Fredrick 2
Walter 2
Alexander 1
Edmon 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Harold 1
Hart 1
Herbert 1
Israel 1
Jonathen 1
Reginald 1
Sandom 1
Thos. 1
Willm.H. 1
Wm.Hy. 1
Woodman 1

FAQ

Vercoe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vercoe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 272 people were recorded with the Vercoe surname. That placed it at #10,409 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vercoe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016. That gives Vercoe a modern rank of #17,278.

What does the Vercoe surname mean?

A locational surname originating in England, derived from the town of Vercoe.

What does the Vercoe map show?

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