NameCensus.

UK surname

Vigor

A surname derived from the Latin word "vigor," meaning strength, energy, or vitality.

In the 1881 census there were 204 people recorded with the Vigor surname, ranking it #12,682 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 251, ranked #16,744, down from #12,682 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wealden, Wiltshire and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vigor is 299 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.0%.

1881 census count

204

Ranked #12,682

Modern count

251

2016, ranked #16,744

Peak year

1911

299 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vigor had 204 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,682 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016, ranked #16,744.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 299 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Vigor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vigor surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vigor 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 162 #12,215
1861 historical 120 #18,255
1881 historical 204 #12,682
1891 historical 261 #12,337
1901 historical 296 #11,749
1911 historical 299 #11,475
1997 modern 290 #13,832
1998 modern 293 #14,094
1999 modern 295 #14,108
2000 modern 271 #14,910
2001 modern 278 #14,444
2002 modern 293 #14,203
2003 modern 273 #14,715
2004 modern 273 #14,804
2005 modern 268 #14,905
2006 modern 254 #15,560
2007 modern 251 #15,861
2008 modern 253 #15,941
2009 modern 254 #16,230
2010 modern 266 #16,067
2011 modern 270 #15,754
2012 modern 252 #16,424
2013 modern 258 #16,421
2014 modern 268 #16,111
2015 modern 267 #16,050
2016 modern 251 #16,744

Geography

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Where Vigors are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough, Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wealden, Wiltshire, Kirklees, Braintree and New Forest. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield Sussex
5 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wealden 005 Wealden
2 Wiltshire 038 Wiltshire
3 Kirklees 059 Kirklees
4 Braintree 003 Braintree
5 New Forest 014 New Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vigor

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vigor

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Vigor is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Vigor is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Vigor

The surname Vigor originates from England, where it first emerged during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old French word "vigour," which means "strength" or "energy." It is likely that the surname was initially given as a nickname to someone who displayed these qualities.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Vigor can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1192, where a person named Walter Vigor is mentioned. The name was also present in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which recorded landowners and their holdings in various counties across England.

In the 14th century, the Vigor surname appeared in several historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, where a certain John Vigor was listed. The Valor Ecclesiasticus of 1535, a survey of ecclesiastical incomes, also mentioned a William Vigor from Kent.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Vigor was Sir John Vigor (c. 1545 - 1609), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Northampton during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Sir William Vigor (1587 - 1672), a wealthy merchant and landowner who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1658.

In the 17th century, the Vigor surname was found in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire, where a family branch was established in the village of Naunton. One member of this branch was Robert Vigor (1625 - 1699), a clergyman who served as the Rector of Naunton for over 40 years.

The 18th century saw the rise of several notable Vigors, including Thomas Vigor (1699 - 1782), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Northampton from 1741 to 1754. His son, William Vigor (1738 - 1808), was also a Member of Parliament, representing the borough of Ipswich.

Another influential figure from this period was Edward Vigor (1744 - 1811), a successful merchant and banker who served as Governor of the Bank of England from 1800 to 1801. His son, Edward Vigor-Fox (1786 - 1857), was a prominent architect and surveyor who worked on various projects in London and the surrounding areas.

While the Vigor surname has origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through immigration and migration patterns. However, the earliest recorded examples and historical references remain firmly rooted in the English counties and regions mentioned above.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vigor families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vigor 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 84 Vigors recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.80x.

County Total Index
Sussex 84 25.80x
Middlesex 31 1.61x
Kent 27 4.10x
Surrey 19 2.02x
Northamptonshire 11 6.06x
Essex 10 2.62x
Gloucestershire 5 1.32x
Cornwall 3 1.37x
Glamorgan 3 0.89x
Suffolk 2 0.85x
Wiltshire 2 1.17x
Bedfordshire 1 1.00x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Burwash in Sussex leads with 23 Vigors recorded in 1881 and an index of 1523.18x.

Place Total Index
Burwash 23 1523.18x
Brighton 15 22.83x
Patcham 12 2068.97x
Wanstead 10 149.70x
Lambeth 9 5.34x
Newtimber 9 6428.57x
Northampton St Sepulchre 8 86.58x
St Pancras London 8 5.15x
Tonbridge 8 33.66x
Brightling 6 1333.33x
Chelsea London 6 10.31x
Horsemonden 6 625.00x
Mayfield 6 310.88x
Mile End Old Town 6 19.68x
Maidstone 5 25.47x
Singleton 5 1351.35x
Battersea 4 5.63x
Charlton Next Woolwich 4 58.22x
Hastings St Michael 4 1739.13x
Beddington 3 82.42x
Bristol St James St Paul 3 23.75x
Cardiff St Mary 3 16.20x
Fulham London 3 10.71x
Islington London 3 1.60x
Northampton Priory St 3 27.52x
Plumstead 3 13.66x
Battle 2 90.91x
Botus Fleming 2 1428.57x
Hindon 2 540.54x
Horfield 2 52.49x
Lowestoft 2 18.00x
St Marylebone London 2 1.94x
Willesden 2 10.98x
Bermondsey 1 1.74x
Bodmin 1 27.62x
Detling 1 454.55x
Hampton London 1 31.55x
Heathfield 1 75.76x
Leighton Buzzard 1 23.26x
Richmond 1 7.58x
Southwark St John 1 16.92x
Wadhurst 1 46.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Sarah 8
Emily 7
Elizabeth 6
Eliza 4
Alice 3
Charlotte 3
Ellen 3
Jane 3
Kate 3
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Celia 2
Clara 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Jessie 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Ada 1
Alma 1
Amelia 1
Bertha 1
Blanch 1
Blanche 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Emm 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Fredrica 1
Helen 1
Janet 1
Lily 1
Marion 1
Mercy 1
Nellie 1
Rachel 1
Rosalind 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 13
William 12
Albert 8
James 7
Arthur 6
Charles 5
Frederick 4
Thomas 4
Edward 3
George 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Alfred 2
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Henry 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredk.George 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Isaac 1
Mary 1
Matthew 1
Norman 1
Percy 1
Rupert 1
Sydney 1
Theophilus 1
Valentine 1
Willie 1
Worthy 1

FAQ

Vigor surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vigor surname in 1881?

In 1881, 204 people were recorded with the Vigor surname. That placed it at #12,682 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vigor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016. That gives Vigor a modern rank of #16,744.

What does the Vigor surname mean?

A surname derived from the Latin word "vigor," meaning strength, energy, or vitality.

What does the Vigor map show?

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