NameCensus.

UK surname

Vile

Of French origin, pertaining to a low-born or lowly person from the countryside or village.

In the 1881 census there were 509 people recorded with the Vile surname, ranking it #6,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 486, ranked #10,189, down from #6,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Minster and Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Taunton Deane, Fenland and Mid Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vile is 618 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.5%.

1881 census count

509

Ranked #6,690

Modern count

486

2016, ranked #10,189

Peak year

1911

618 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vile had 509 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 486 in 2016, ranked #10,189.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 618 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Vile surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vile surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vile 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 550 #4,603
1861 historical 387 #6,620
1881 historical 509 #6,690
1891 historical 509 #7,323
1901 historical 591 #7,149
1911 historical 618 #6,687
1997 modern 509 #9,181
1998 modern 519 #9,327
1999 modern 519 #9,401
2000 modern 546 #9,001
2001 modern 526 #9,112
2002 modern 532 #9,216
2003 modern 511 #9,338
2004 modern 514 #9,327
2005 modern 500 #9,443
2006 modern 490 #9,613
2007 modern 480 #9,860
2008 modern 481 #9,930
2009 modern 504 #9,788
2010 modern 508 #9,929
2011 modern 497 #9,997
2012 modern 481 #10,145
2013 modern 491 #10,158
2014 modern 493 #10,191
2015 modern 494 #10,083
2016 modern 486 #10,189

Geography

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Where Viles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Minster, Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street, Petherton, South and Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Taunton Deane, Fenland and Mid Devon. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Minster Kent
3 Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street Somerset
4 Petherton, South Somerset
5 Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Taunton Deane 005 Taunton Deane
2 Taunton Deane 012 Taunton Deane
3 Fenland 003 Fenland
4 Mid Devon 001 Mid Devon
5 Mid Devon 007 Mid Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vile

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vile

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Vile 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

Vile is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vile 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 Vile is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Vile

The surname VILE originates from England and dates back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "vile," meaning "low" or "base," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived in a lowly or humble dwelling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname VILE can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a John le Vile. This suggests that the name was already in use in medieval England during the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "le Vile," "le Vyle," and "le Vylle," indicating regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. For example, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 list a William le Vyle.

The surname VILE may also be linked to certain place names, such as Vile in Somerset or Vyle in Devon. These place names could have influenced the surname's development and spread across different regions.

One notable figure in history with the surname VILE was John Vile (c. 1495-1556), an English Protestant reformer and scholar. He played a crucial role in the English Reformation and was a vocal critic of the Catholic Church's practices.

Another individual of note was Sir Samuel Vile (1638-1712), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London from 1708 to 1709. He was known for his involvement in the East India Company and his philanthropic efforts.

In the literary realm, Richard Vile (1609-1667) was an English poet and playwright who gained recognition for his works during the Renaissance period.

The name VILE also appears in military history, with George Vile (1735-1805) being a British Army officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and later became a member of Parliament.

Lastly, William Vile (1700-1782) was an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London during the 18th century, including the Church of St. Mary Woolnoth.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vile families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vile 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. Somerset leads with 237 Viles recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.31x.

County Total Index
Somerset 237 29.31x
Kent 60 3.50x
Middlesex 51 1.02x
Devon 40 3.83x
Hampshire 24 2.33x
Gloucestershire 18 1.83x
Glamorgan 15 1.71x
Surrey 11 0.45x
Channel Islands 9 6.05x
Essex 9 0.91x
Dorset 8 2.43x
Lancashire 8 0.13x
Monmouthshire 5 1.38x
Wiltshire 5 1.13x
Lanarkshire 4 0.25x
Oxfordshire 4 1.29x
Cornwall 3 0.53x
Hertfordshire 2 0.58x
Sussex 2 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. South Petherton in Somerset leads with 28 Viles recorded in 1881 and an index of 669.86x.

Place Total Index
South Petherton 28 669.86x
Glastonbury 25 378.79x
Curry Mallet 24 2857.14x
Puckington 24 6153.85x
Minster In Sheppey 20 70.42x
Beer Crocombe 12 5217.39x
Smeeth 12 1121.50x
Taunton St Mary 11 74.12x
Barnstaple 10 60.94x
Huish Episcopi 10 869.57x
Shoreditch London 10 4.59x
Bradon 9 22500.00x
Curry Rivell 9 333.33x
Northover 8 5000.00x
Portsea 8 3.96x
Southampton St Mary 8 12.36x
St Luke London 8 9.93x
Whitechapel London 8 16.16x
North Curry 7 254.55x
St Peter Port 7 25.42x
Crewkerne 6 69.85x
Kenton 6 181.82x
Lewisham 6 6.56x
Llanwonno 6 19.09x
Bristol St James St Paul 5 15.22x
Canterbury St Alphage 5 273.22x
Crediton 5 50.45x
Langport Eastover 5 427.35x
Newport 5 28.87x
Wimbledon 5 18.20x
Bow 4 285.71x
Glasgow 4 1.39x
Hatch Beauchamp 4 645.16x
Horspath 4 714.29x
Islington London 4 0.82x
Leyton Low 4 19.84x
Long Sutton 4 264.90x
Northwood 4 27.29x
St George In East 4 11.71x
St Marylebone London 4 1.49x
Wells St Cuthbert In 4 322.58x
West Ham 4 1.83x
Weymouth 4 64.00x
Broughton In Salford 3 5.50x
Canterbury St Mildred 3 73.71x
Chilthorne Domer 3 857.14x
Eglwysilan 3 19.76x
Hinton St George 3 256.41x
Hornsey 3 4.72x
Melcombe Regis 3 21.96x
South Stoke 3 447.76x
St Pancras London 3 0.74x
Stocklinch Magdalen 3 1764.71x
Whiteparish 3 158.73x
Winterbourne 3 55.15x
Wolborough 3 22.69x
Ashill 2 246.91x
Barrington 2 277.78x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 2.16x
Canterbury St Paul 2 64.94x
Castleton 2 3.36x
Clifton 2 4.02x
Crondall 2 36.17x
Exeter St Thomas The 2 18.76x
Helston 2 33.84x
Horsington 2 155.04x
Kensington London 2 0.72x
Kingsbury Episcopi 2 76.34x
Lydd 2 54.50x
Mangotsfield 2 20.37x
Martock 2 38.02x
Paddington London 2 1.08x
St Michaelinthe Vale 2 37.66x
Stapleton 2 10.70x
Taunton St James 2 16.96x
Tormoham 2 4.52x
Wandsworth 2 4.14x
West Harptree 2 250.00x
Woking 2 13.56x
Ystradyfodwg 2 2.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Sarah 19
Elizabeth 17
Jane 13
Eliza 11
Emily 11
Ann 10
Ellen 9
Susan 9
Annie 8
Emma 8
Maria 6
Caroline 5
Hannah 5
Louisa 5
Alice 4
Frances 4
Harriet 4
Martha 4
Charlotte 3
Florence 3
Margaret 3
Rosa 3
Rose 3
Anna 2
Betsy 2
Elizth. 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Georgina 2
Hester 2
Isabella 2
Lucy 2
Margt. 2
Anie 1
B. 1
Bessie 1
Catherine 1
Cecelia 1
Dianah 1
Ella 1
Enna 1
Esther 1
Evelyn 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Infant 1
Isabel 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 32
John 22
James 17
George 16
Thomas 16
Charles 15
Henry 12
Samuel 10
Joseph 9
Robert 9
Albert 5
Edward 5
Walter 5
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
Edwin 4
Frederick 4
Herbert 4
Philip 4
Ernest 3
Frank 3
Stephen 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Fred 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Albion 1
Augustus 1
Clement 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Ephraim 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Gilbert 1
Horace 1
Jas. 1
Jessie 1
Job 1
Maurice 1
Percy 1
Phillip 1
Simeon 1
Solomon 1
Thos. 1
Timothy 1
Tom 1
Ton 1
Will. 1

FAQ

Vile surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vile surname in 1881?

In 1881, 509 people were recorded with the Vile surname. That placed it at #6,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vile surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 486 in 2016. That gives Vile a modern rank of #10,189.

What does the Vile surname mean?

Of French origin, pertaining to a low-born or lowly person from the countryside or village.

What does the Vile map show?

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