NameCensus.

UK surname

Vesey

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a meadow or grazing area.

In the 1881 census there were 251 people recorded with the Vesey surname, ranking it #11,041 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 349, ranked #13,189, down from #11,041 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Barking, London parishes and Newchurch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockport, Manchester and Trafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vesey is 374 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.0%.

1881 census count

251

Ranked #11,041

Modern count

349

2016, ranked #13,189

Peak year

2002

374 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vesey had 251 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,041 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016, ranked #13,189.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 367 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Vesey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vesey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vesey 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 151 #12,840
1861 historical 187 #12,690
1881 historical 251 #11,041
1891 historical 318 #10,583
1901 historical 367 #10,076
1911 historical 320 #10,932
1997 modern 359 #11,956
1998 modern 372 #12,008
1999 modern 365 #12,245
2000 modern 370 #12,078
2001 modern 362 #12,076
2002 modern 374 #12,040
2003 modern 351 #12,389
2004 modern 353 #12,377
2005 modern 354 #12,270
2006 modern 345 #12,571
2007 modern 350 #12,600
2008 modern 338 #13,044
2009 modern 349 #12,995
2010 modern 342 #13,440
2011 modern 339 #13,404
2012 modern 328 #13,625
2013 modern 349 #13,215
2014 modern 349 #13,293
2015 modern 346 #13,284
2016 modern 349 #13,189

Geography

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Where Veseys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Barking, London parishes, Newchurch and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stockport, Manchester, Trafford, Wirral and Charnwood. 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 Barking Essex
2 London parishes London 1
3 Newchurch Hampshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stockport 014 Stockport
2 Manchester 048 Manchester
3 Trafford 025 Trafford
4 Wirral 041 Wirral
5 Charnwood 021 Charnwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vesey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vesey

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

Challenged Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger 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, Vesey 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

Vesey 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

Vesey 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 Vesey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Vesey

The surname Vesey has its origins in Normandy, France, and dates back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "voisie" or "veisie," which meant "neighbor" or "vicinity." This suggests that the name may have originally been a descriptive surname given to someone who lived near a particular landmark or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vesey can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "de Veisiaco," indicating that it was likely a place of origin for the bearer.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled in various forms, such as Vesci, Vessey, Veisy, and Veysey. These variations reflect the different pronunciations and regional dialects of the time.

In the 13th century, a notable member of the Vesey family was William de Vesci (c. 1245-1297), an English nobleman and Baron of Alnwick in Northumberland. He played a significant role in the conflicts between King Henry III and the barons.

Another prominent figure was John Vesey (c. 1462-1554), who served as the Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland from 1518 until his death. He was known for his efforts to reform the Irish Church and for his involvement in the political affairs of the time.

In the 17th century, Denny Muschamp Vesey (1638-1719) was an English churchman who became the Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora in Ireland. He was noted for his charitable works and contributions to educational institutions.

The Vesey family also had a presence in colonial America. The Reverend William Vesey (1674-1746) was an Anglican minister who served as the first rector of Trinity Church in New York City, a position he held for nearly 50 years.

During the American Revolution, Josiah Vesey (1712-1780) was a merchant and planter in South Carolina. He was a prominent Loyalist and served as a lieutenant colonel in the British militia.

These are just a few examples of the historical figures who carried the surname Vesey. The name has been found in various regions, including England, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, reflecting the widespread migration and establishment of families bearing this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vesey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vesey 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. Middlesex leads with 61 Veseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.51x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 61 2.51x
Surrey 39 3.30x
Lancashire 21 0.73x
Essex 17 3.55x
Kent 11 1.33x
Somerset 11 2.81x
Suffolk 11 3.72x
Gloucestershire 9 1.89x
Sussex 8 1.95x
Devon 7 1.38x
Northamptonshire 7 3.06x
Midlothian 6 1.84x
Staffordshire 6 0.73x
Yorkshire 6 0.25x
Hertfordshire 5 2.99x
Cheshire 4 0.75x
Wiltshire 4 1.86x
Lincolnshire 3 0.77x
Leicestershire 2 0.74x
Oxfordshire 2 1.33x
Berkshire 1 0.55x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.65x
Channel Islands 1 1.39x
Hampshire 1 0.20x
Lanarkshire 1 0.13x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.31x
Renfrewshire 1 0.53x
Royal Navy 1 3.46x
Warwickshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 16 Veseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.80x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 16 6.80x
Moss Side 9 59.33x
Camberwell 8 5.16x
Clifton 8 33.22x
Kensington London 8 5.92x
Lambeth 8 3.78x
St Luke London 8 20.53x
West Ham 8 7.56x
Mickleham 7 1044.78x
Barking 6 42.77x
Ipswich St Margaret 6 59.76x
Marske Near Richmond 6 2727.27x
Newington 6 6.69x
Uttoxeter 6 142.86x
Edinburgh Greenside 5 116.28x
Little Oakley 5 4545.45x
Westminster St James 5 20.02x
Widford 5 1162.79x
Battersea 4 4.48x
Broughton In Salford 4 15.18x
Chester St John Baptist 4 41.49x
Deptford St Paul 4 6.26x
Hackney London 4 2.94x
Hulme 4 6.65x
Long Ditton 4 207.25x
Poplar London 4 8.73x
Winsford 4 1000.00x
Abbots Kerswell 3 833.33x
Elton 3 30.12x
Fryerning 3 508.47x
Hastings St Mary 3 29.44x
Sedghill 3 1875.00x
Bigbury 2 540.54x
Brighton 2 2.42x
Brompton Regis 2 465.12x
Cowley 2 42.74x
Gillingham 2 11.70x
Hammersmith London 2 3.34x
Heston 2 24.78x
Ipswich St Helen 2 56.98x
Paddington London 2 2.24x
Shoreditch London 2 1.90x
Southwold 2 114.29x
St Pancras London 2 1.02x
West Grinstead 2 162.60x
Abbey 1 3.48x
Batcombe 1 192.31x
Bromham 1 103.09x
Broughton 1 136.99x
Caterham 1 19.12x
Dover St James 1 27.55x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 12.47x
Edinburgh Canongate 1 12.08x
Faxton 1 2000.00x
Finchley 1 10.74x
Foleshill 1 15.53x
Frampton Cotterell 1 59.88x
Frant 1 34.48x
Holy Rood 1 99.01x
Ipswich St Mathew 1 12.06x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.52x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.52x
Melton Mowbray 1 20.66x
Mile End Old Town 1 2.61x
Old Sleaford 1 227.27x
Plympton St Mary 1 34.25x
Reading St Mary 1 6.85x
Royal Navy 1 4.04x
Shepton Mallet 1 22.78x
St Botolph Bishopsgate 1 29.07x
St Botolph Lincoln 1 35.84x
St Helier 1 4.27x
St Martin In Fields 1 6.88x
St Marylebone London 1 0.77x
Sutton St Mary 1 27.25x
Teston 1 370.37x
Toxteth Park 1 1.02x
Trumpington 1 128.21x
Walcot 1 4.80x
Westminster St 1 11.17x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Eliza 10
Sarah 8
Elizabeth 7
Jane 7
Annie 6
Ann 5
Clara 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Susan 3
C. 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Florence 2
Geraldine 2
Kate 2
Kathleen 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Seria 2
Caroline 1
Chalotte 1
Constance 1
Cordelia 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Ester 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Francis 1
Georgina 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
I. 1
Isabel 1
L.S. 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Matilda 1
Maude 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Prudence 1
R. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
George 12
John 11
Edward 8
James 5
Arthur 4
Charles 4
Eustace 3
Harry 3
Henry 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Francis 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Sam 2
Thomas 2
Andrew 1
Carl 1
Chas.Hy. 1
Cuthbert 1
Darwin 1
Davey 1
Douglas 1
E. 1
Edwd. 1
Frederick 1
Fredk.G. 1
Fredk.Wm. 1
Gough 1
Hy. 1
I. 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Martha 1
Reginald 1
Richd. 1
Richd.A. 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Thos.Augustus 1

FAQ

Vesey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vesey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 251 people were recorded with the Vesey surname. That placed it at #11,041 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vesey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016. That gives Vesey a modern rank of #13,189.

What does the Vesey surname mean?

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a meadow or grazing area.

What does the Vesey map show?

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